PETALING JAYA: There is a huge trust deficit towards the Perikatan Nasional government, says Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       In explaining why Umno acted to withdraw its support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Perikatan Nasional government, Zahid said Umno acted to "rescue the lives of the rakyat".

       “The country must be defended,” said Ahmad Zahid, dismissing efforts taken by the Perikatan Nasional government to address the Covid-19 pandemic

       He added that the plans and policies implemented by the Perikatan government have failed.

       “The rakyat demanded a full lockdown, but they implemented a half-baked 'total lockdown'. The rakyat asked for non-essential factories to be shut down, but they shut down small businesses that have a lower risk,” Ahmad Zahid said.

       The Bagan Datok MP added that when the people asked to withdraw their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) money, the Finance Minister had said that the EPF was not a bank

       Ahmad Zahid said that the Perikatan government only accelerated change and considered business sector proposals once their positions became shaky.

       "Their tune has started to change. They are starting to talk in a sad and sombre manner as they’re desperate. I am sorry (to say) the rakyat will not fall for this anymore. The rakyat knows that it is only a game of perception," he said.

       "It will be hard for the rakyat to be influenced by their sad stories as they have a huge trust deficit towards the Perikatan government,” he added.