Special Cabinet Meeting To Discuss Covid 19 Support For Govt

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Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be chairing a special cabinet meeting in Putrajaya tomorrow, prompting speculation of an impending cabinet reshuffle.

The meeting comes just two days after Umno announced a “political ceasefire”. Muhyiddin had just held the regular cabinet meeting at his office yesterday – his first after being released from his second round of quarantine.
A source, however, told Malaysiakini that the meeting tomorrow will discuss the latest situation of the Covid-19 pandemic and efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

“The special meeting tomorrow is to discuss the Covid-19 issue. So far, it has nothing to do with the issue of a cabinet reshuffle,” the source said when contacted.

Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced a political ceasefire, citing the Covid-19 pandemic and stated the party’s support for Perikatan Nasional (PN).

He said Umno will back the PN government to focus on helping the people and country in facing the pandemic.

“I wish to emphasise Umno’s stance – hold a political ceasefire to ensure priority can be given to the agenda of tackling Covid-19, and help people facing difficulty and anxiety as a result of economic hardship.

“To uphold the PN government in focusing on the agenda of helping the people and the country face the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis,” said Zahid in a statement.

Umno had announced that it was reconsidering its support for PN just a week earlier, several hours after PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding the former’s claim of garnering majority support in Parliament.

Meanwhile, another source who is a special officer to a minister told Malaysiakini that apart from discussing the Covid-19 issue, tomorrow's meeting would also discuss support for the present government.



However, the source said the meeting will not touch on the issue of the cabinet reshuffle.

“Not (cabinet reshuffle) but to discuss the issue of support for the government and fighting Covid-19,” the source said.

However, the source did not elaborate what on is meant by “support for the government”.

Meanwhile, a source at the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed a special cabinet meeting will be held tomorrow but declined to elaborate.

Umno leaders had previously lobbied for a representative from the party to be appointed as deputy prime minister. The post is currently vacant. - Mkini

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