Malaysia's ex-DPM 'not out to topple govt'

KLUANG - Malaysia's former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has reiterated that he has no intention of toppling the government after being axed from the Cabinet line-up last week by Prime Minister Najib Razak, The Star reported.

The Umno deputy president, whose comments on troubled state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) led to his ouster, yesterday brushed off rumours claiming that he was trying to overthrow the government following his dismissal.

"This is quite shocking to me as I will never do anything to betray Umno, which is the backbone of the government," he said in his speech before launching the Kluang Umno division meeting in Johor yesterday.

In his speech yesterday, Mr Muhyiddin also told delegates he would continue to speak up on the 1MDB controversy as it was his duty to raise issues of public concern, the Malaysian Insider news website reported.

"Many of my friends reminded me (to) talk nicely since I am no longer the deputy prime minister. I asked why? And they said, 'Who knows, there might be people who want to find fault so much, that your deputy president post might be threatened'," he told the delegates present.

"I will not keep quiet. I have to continue speaking because it is part of the job. If a politician cannot speak out, he is not fit to become a leader."

Mr Muhyiddin had an hour-long meeting with Johor Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar yesterday afternoon, according to The Star.

Meanwhile, Mr Najib said that Umno and the ruling Barisan Nasional still have time to regain public confidence as the next federal polls would not be held "tomorrow", reported the Malay Mail Online.

At the Hulu Selangor Umno division meeting yesterday, he also said that Umno is being badly affected by the trend where everyone related to the administration was "perceived to be guilty until proven innocent", said the Malaysian Insider.

"This is not fair. When any news comes out about the opposition, people think it's not true. When any news is spread about us, people immediately think it's true," he said.

Earlier at his Hari Raya open house in Pahang, Mr Najib expressed his gratitude to the people and to Umno for their acceptance of the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

myp@sph.com.sg

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