Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin counting on Umno’s support as part of ‘political ceasefire’
- The declaration provides a temporary reprieve for Muhyiddin after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s claimed he has the numbers to form a new government
- Muhyiddin has since been in talks for a possible cabinet reshuffle to give Umno officials more prominent roles
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In a statement, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party had agreed to support Muhyiddin’s government and its efforts to fight the virus and strengthen a pandemic-battered economy.
Last month, Umno said some party lawmakers supported Anwar’s bid to be prime minister.
Muhyiddin has been in talks for a possible cabinet reshuffle to give Umno officials more prominent roles, sources said. Some Umno leaders have balked at playing second fiddle to Muhyiddin’s smaller Bersatu party in the ruling alliance, coalition sources have said.
Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow with Singapore’s Institute of International Affairs, said Umno’s call for a ceasefire helped secure Muhyiddin’s position for now but the political situation remains fluid.
“The undercurrents of power struggle between the two major component parties of the ruling coalition are still flowing strong, albeit beneath a veneer of opportune civility,” Oh said.