No politics in Zahid's DPM appointment, says Umno sec-gen

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan says president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's appointment as a deputy prime minister was in consideration of his position in the party hierarchy, not based on political interests. 

Ahmad said the appointment of Zahid to the country's second-highest office was also aimed at stabilising the government which was formed after no party won a simple majority of 112 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

"There has never been a Cabinet that has not been criticised. How often do we see something that is 100% perfect? There must be disagreements here and there.

"If we give it (the position) to someone other than the president (Zahid), that stability is somewhat in question. Firstly, the strength of Umno and secondly the unity government itself.

"That is why we want stability, and the party hierarchy is the right thing to follow now," he told reporters after attending a ceramah in Kampung Pianggu on Dec 3.

Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman was among 27 Cabinet members who took their oath of office before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at Istana Negara.

Zahid also holds the post of rural and regional development minister.

Asked whether the party accepted the Cabinet's decision, Ahmad said there was positive feedback from the party's rank and file.

"We are aware that we have only 30 seats and six representatives (as ministers), even though we demanded more. We are waiting for the list of deputy ministers," he said.