SEREMBAN: Umno’s decision to withdraw support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is extremely disappointing, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Srikandi chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun.

       The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said this should not have happened especially when the government was in the midst of battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “We are in unprecedented times facing challenges due to the pandemic.

       “The government is also facing many other situations such as children being abused and (making sure) that everyone gets vaccinated.

       “So this (Umno withdrawing support for PM) is very disappointing,” she told reporters after visiting a 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome, believed to be a victim of abuse, at a government-run centre here on Thursday (July 8).

       Rina said although the current government may not be perfect, it is trying its best to help the people especially during these trying times.

       She said since March last year, the government has come up with eight aid packages totalling RM380bil to help the people and businesses to cushion the effects of the pandemic.

       “I personally go to the ground everyday distributing food baskets and aid to the needy.

       “We are doing our best but it is sad that some have decided to politicise the whole situation,” she said, adding that she would continue to support Muhyiddin as Prime Minister.

       Rina also welcomed the appointments of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Deputy Prime Minister and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as Senior Minister (Security).

       “Ismail Sabri certainly fits the bill to be Muhyiddin’s deputy. Their appointments will surely strengthen the Cabinet,” she added.

       Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had announced that the party would withdraw its support for the Prime Minister after a virtual supreme council meeting on Wednesday night that stretched till the early hours of Thursday.

       Ahmad Zahid said the withdrawal of support came because Muhyiddin had not fulfilled seven requirements outlined by Umno when the government was sworn in on March 11 last year.