In a joint statement, they said Muhyiddin had their full support to continue leading the country, adding that every government decision was made by the Cabinet collectively.

They added that the decision to put up a united show of support for Muhyiddin was made today at a Cabinet meeting.

“The government’s priority at this time is to make the National Recovery Plan a success for the people’s welfare and the nation’s prosperity, and to lead the nation out of the Covid-19 pandemic,” they said.

Their decision serves to underline the split in Umno over its decision to withdraw support for Muhyiddin, as nine Umno MPs are ministers and eight others are deputy ministers.

Last week, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the party was withdrawing its support for Muhyiddin, urging the prime minister to resign from his post so that an interim prime minister could be appointed.

The announcement came just as party vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob was appointed deputy prime minister, while Hishammuddin Hussein was made a senior minister. Both are from Umno.

Attorney-General Idrus Harun also said Muhyiddin would remain in the top post until his parliamentary majority is tested in Parliament, which reconvenes on July 26.

Idrus said whether or not an individual held the majority support of MPs must be determined by the MPs themselves, not through statements from political parties or leaders.

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