'Don't raise new issues, the Unity Govt is stable with support of 148 MPs', says Zahid

KOTA KINABALU - Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants all political party leaders to stop raising new issues or problems as the current government is stable with the support of 148 members of parliament.

The Deputy Prime Minister also agreed with Sultan Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who wanted all parties to prioritise the people, the economy, and the well-being and prosperity of the country.

"It's enough that the country's political scene saw changes in government and leaders three times last term.

"Look at what the country and the people went through because of political turmoil.

"Now, we have formed a government together under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership with the support of 19 political parties in the four main political coalitions.

"This is our main priority, and Umno truly appreciates His Majesty Sultan Johor's statement, and I expect all political party leaders to understand and uphold what the Johor leader has said," he said in a press conference after attending the Sabah Umno Liaison Body Aidilfitri Open House here, today.

Zahid also said the current government aims to move forward to develop a politically and economically stable country.

"We want investment coming from abroad and locally to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic direct investment (DDI), so priority will always be given to growing the economy.

"The most important thing is the people's welfare. Surely we have to end these political variations and stop raising new issues.

"The current government is a stable government with 148 MPs who support this Unity government," he said.

He also wished success to the meeting of Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad regarding the Malay proclamation.

"I wish them success because we know Dr Mahathir is a new liability in the country's politics.

"It was proven through his defeat in Langkawi and the loss of his deposit, in addition to the fact that no candidate from his party succeeded during the last election, and now he has now joined another party," he said.

Meanwhile, Zahid emphasised that the issue of multi-ethnic communities in this country is an important matter that should be given priority and put aside differences in ethnic groups for the sake of the country.

"Even the Malaysia Madani that we support needs to be prioritised; it is also important to support the multi-ethnic community in this country. We should set aside political differences and ethnic differences for the sake of the country," he said.