KUALA LUMPUR — After a lengthy Umno Supreme Council meeting on Thursday (Oct 29) night, the party said that its Cabinet members will stay on amid rumours of a reshuffle and the appointment of a deputy prime minister.

In a statement released following the meeting, United Malays National Organisation (Umno) president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also promised voters that it would not back any other move to invoke the emergency as previously proposed by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

“Umno is a party where, at its base, puts the priority of the people first. Therefore, all Cabinet members representing Umno will continue to stay in the government and aim to continue taking care of the public’s welfare and defend the party’s dignity,” he said.

Mr Zahid stressed that Umno will remain committed and focused on achieving national reconciliation to allow the country to face the Covid-19 pandemic on a united front.

The party president’s statement also mentioned how Budget 2021 was among the topics discussed in the meeting, saying the party will push for the government to present a budget that benefits all Malaysians.

“Umno also discussed various views and aspirations of the people concerning Budget 2021 to be raised with the government, including the issue of extending the (loan) moratorium, livelihood assistance to those who have lost their source of income due to Covid-19, retrenched youths, special payments for frontlines and several other initiatives to spur development in the economy,” he said.

The party also reiterated their previous position that the mandate must be returned to the electorate to form a stable government, by having a general election once the Covid-19 pandemic is under control.

He also warned those looking to paint Umno as a party that opposes the advice of the King Al-Sultan Abdullah, saying such accusations are deeply regretted.

“If the position of Umno concerning this topic is still being questioned, Umno will not hesitate to take stern action for the sake of the sovereignty of the Rulers and in the interest of the people,” it said without revealing who the warning was aimed at.

It was earlier speculated that Umno’s meeting today could be discussing renewed terms to be tabled to PN before the statement was issued by Mr Zahid.

The meeting comes mere days after Umno announced its support for Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the PN government amid a failed attempt by the latter to invoke a state of emergency. MALAY MAIL