Hisham as DPM, proposed by (?) Best Moroccan buddy

PKR slams new 'SD drive' amid speculations of fresh manouverings

PKR has condemned what it claimed were renewed efforts to collect statutory declarations (SDs) from MPs.

This was amid speculation of fresh political manoeuvrings at a time when the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is meeting with the country's top political leaders this week.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said those seeking endorsements in the form of SDs are setting themselves up for positions in the government.

Fahmi said the MPs soliciting support in the form of statutory declarations also claim to have the ‘blessings’ of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

He also said the claims of a royal blessing cannot be true because Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and are thus a “disgusting attempt at securing positions and profits for a small faction at a time of national crisis”.

“The party holds the position that the name of His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong should not be used as a trick to gain the support of other MPs, what more when that support will do absolutely nothing to resolve the problem of a rudderless leadership which the nation is facing right now.

“The desperate act of this group must be wholly rejected by the rakyat. The focus right now must be towards revitalising the economy and defending the Rakyat who have been so affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement today.

Fahmi did not name the MPs involved or their political affiliation but said they do not hold any key leadership positions in their party.

Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein

The Vibes, quoting sources, reported earlier today that there is a movement to get Umno MPs to vouch for Hishammuddin Hussein as the deputy prime minister candidate.

The report also alleged that Umno MPs are being told that Muhyiddin Yassin will step down as prime minister in the coming months to make way for Hishammuddin to take over the position.

However, Hishammuddin has since responded on Twitter that these are mere “rumours”.

“As the article states, these are rumours and I don’t entertain rumours.

“We should just concentrate on our Covid-19 response and strengthening our economy,” he said.

While Hishammuddin currently holds the Foreign Ministry portfolio under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, he does not hold any senior leadership positions within Umno.

In the past two days, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has been meeting with party leaders at the Istana Negara.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is expected to have an audience with the Agong tomorrow morning.

It is understood that the Covid-19 pandemic situation and the ending of the emergency are among the issues discussed during the meetings.

So far, he has met with Muhyiddin as part of a weekly pre-cabinet meeting, as well as opposition leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Mohamad Sabu yesterday.

Today, the Agong met with PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, MCA president Wee Ka Siong, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) pro-tem chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Mahathir, in an online media conference after his audience with the Agong, revealed that he proposed the setting up of a National Operations Council government similar to the one in 1969.