Muhyiddin slams Zaid, defends Najib

Sacked Umno leader Zaid Ibrahim's call on the King not to appoint Najib Abdul Razak as the next prime minister was 'irresponsible and malicious', said Umno deputy aspirant Muhyiddin Yassin today.
He said the statement was clearly aimed at creating unease among Umno members in particular and Malaysians in general.
Speaking at an event in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Zaid said Najib's appointment as prime minister would divide the people.
Muhyiddin, who is also international trade and industry minister, said Zaid's statement was not helpful in uniting the people. It also showed his opportunistic character.
"I strongly deny Zaid's claim that the country is in crisis over the appointment of the prime minister.
"The Umno leadership transition is progressing well and it has been proven that Najib has the confidence of Umno divisions to be the new party president," he said in a statement, according to Bernama.
Muhyiddin also said it was clearly stated in Article 43(2) of the Federal Constitution that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall first appoint a member of the Dewan Rakyat, who is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the House, as the prime minister to preside over the cabinet.
"The Barisan Nasional is the party that commands the majority in the Dewan Rakyat, with Umno having the most seats among the BN component parties," he said.
Don't fall for his propaganda
Muhyiddin said Najib's appointment as the prime minister would unite the people.
"I would like to remind the people and Umno members not to fall for Zaid's propaganda which is clearly ill-intent, irresponsible and putting self interest above that of the country," he said.
Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Mohd Shafie Apdal described Zaid's statement as devoid of logic as it had been the practice to appoint the Umno president as prime minister.
He said the power transfer between Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib was progressing smoothly.

tunku : glad that muhyiddin responded on this matter. zaid is opportunistic character.he knows that he is not a cent worth this side so the best thing to do now is to get supports and be popular with the other side. with his comments some of the opposition supporters has voiced that zaid should be made anwar's deputy.that is what zaid is aiming now. i repeat what muhyiddin said,the people and Umno members not to fall for Zaid's propaganda which is clearly ill-intent, irresponsible and putting self interest above that of the country.it's all about personal and again the gabbage will always be taken by the opposition as their new icon although the gabbage was hit many times when he was with the government or umno.