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Support Najib-Zahid but respect Muhyiddin, says UMNO Supreme Council member

KUALA LUMPUR — UMNO members need to support the leadership of Mr Najib Razak and Mr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi but at the same time respect Mr Muhyiddin Yassin as he is still the party’s deputy president, Mr Reezal Merican Naina Merican said.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, right, shakes hands with his newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after addressing a press conference at the Prime Minister's office in Putrajaya  Malaysia,Tuesday, July, 28, 2015. Photo: AP

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, right, shakes hands with his newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after addressing a press conference at the Prime Minister's office in Putrajaya Malaysia,Tuesday, July, 28, 2015. Photo: AP

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KUALA LUMPUR — UMNO members need to support the leadership of Mr Najib Razak and Mr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi but at the same time respect Mr Muhyiddin Yassin as he is still the party’s deputy president, Mr Reezal Merican Naina Merican said.

Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, the UMNO Supreme Council member said Mr Muhyiddin must be respected and allowed to play a role in the party, and not be insulted just because he is no longer the deputy prime minister.

Mr Reezal added that Mr Muhyiddin was not a criminal, and said he had done a lot for the ruling coalition, including leading it in at least 14 by-elections.

“I take the stand that the Cabinet reshuffle was the prerogative of the prime minister and cannot be disputed.

“He is looking at the bigger issue and we need to remain loyal as long as it will bring good.

“Muhyiddin has also pledged his loyalty to UMNO, unlike Anwar Ibrahim who had caused an uproar in our party.

“I also witnessed the downfall of Abdullah Badawi, but he is a good man, putting the party’s interest above all else,” he reportedly said when officiating the UMNO Ipoh Barat division meeting yesterday (Aug 2).

Prime Minister Najib Razak sacked Mr Muhyiddin and Mr Shafie Apdal from the Cabinet last Tuesday (July 28), creating a dilemma for UMNO grassroots who are torn between respecting the two senior party leaders and remaining loyal to the president.

Several UMNO divisions have cancelled the invitations they had sent to Mr Muhyiddin and Mr Shafie to officiate their annual general meetings, despite the fact that the duo’s positions in the party remain unchanged.

They had told The Malaysian Insider they did not want any quarters to misinterpret the invite, and were afraid they would witness another fiery speech from Mr Muhyiddin during their meeting. THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

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