No agreement on DPM post with Bersatu, says Ahmad Maslan

PONTIAN - Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri did not have any agreement over the deputy prime minister's post (DPM), said Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

He said the Umno Supreme Council (MKT) was not made aware of such an agreement until PN President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin raised the issue.

"Regarding the post of DPM, we at MKT Umno are not aware of such discussions from Bersatu.

"MKT members have not been informed about this matter. Since it is not informed, MKT (we) think it does not exist," he said at the Pontian Umno Division 'Penyerahan Daging Korban' ceremony in Benut, on Monday.

Also present was Johor Umno chief Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.

Furthermore, the Pontian MP said Muhyiddin, the Bersatu president has two senior ministers - Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.

"Bersatu has two senior ministers. It is not appropriate for him to demand a DPM," he said, adding that the other two senior ministers are Umno's Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

On July 9, Muhyiddin's former principal private secretary, Datuk Marzuki Mohamad claimed that was an agreement between PN and Ismail Sabri over the post.

Marzuki claimed that he was involved with the preparation of the agreement between the PN which involves Bersatu, Pas Gerakan, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Progresif Sabah (SAPP) with the Prime Minister.

Marzuki also claimed that a clause in the agreement states that the agreement document, cannot be published or disclosed in any form, instead it can only be kept for the reference of both parties.

On July 8, Pas President Abdul Hadi Awang said there was discussions over the DPM but no decision was made.

On July 2, Muhyiddin said he held a meeting with Ismail Sabri to raise several important issues including the PN agreement with the prime minister over the appointment of DPM.