THERE was an agreement signed over the post of deputy prime minister between Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Muhyiddin Yassin said Marzuki Mohamad today.

In a statement, the former private secretary to Muhyiddin, said the prime minister and the Perikatan Nasional chairman had entered into an agreement last year over the post.

“I want to confirm the agreement exists. It was signed by Muhyiddin and the prime minister (Ismail Sabri) last August 17.”

“It was witnessed by a minister from Bersatu and another minister from Umno,” he said today.

However, he did not mention who the ministers from both parties were.

Last Saturday, Muhyiddin had said he met the prime minister to discuss cabinet posts, including that of deputy prime minister.

The PN chairman said their discussion was based on “PN’s agreement with the prime minister” on such appointments, and also appointments to government-linked companies.

However, PAS, a coalition in PN denied that it has struck a deal with Bersatu over the appointment of a deputy prime minister.

In responding to previous comments by Muhyiddin, the Islamist party president Abdul Hadi Awang said the party has discussed the matter but no decision was made.

Marzuki revealed he was personally involved in the agreement as private secretary to Muhyiddin as then prime minister.

He said there were reasons why the agreement was never made public.

“A provision under this agreement states that the document cannot be republished in any form.”

“It can only be kept for the reference of both parties,” he said.

Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan had also denied that Umno had agreed to such an agreement with Bersatu. – July 9, 2022.