KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Sin Chew Daily) — Umno has not reached a consensus on deputy prime minister candidacy although the party has several names in mind. 

An Umno leader who prefers to remain anonymous told Sin Chew Daily the candidates are party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wanted a politician with a clean background to join his cabinet. 

Hence, Ahmad Zahid who is facing corruption and CBT charges is unlikely to be accepted.

"We still have our deputy president Mohamad Hasan as candidate. If the prime minister appoints him as senator, he can be deputy prime minister. At least he is a representative of Umno," said the source.

However, it is learned that Mohamad is not Ahmad Zahid's preferred candidate.

Sin Chew Daily has earlier reported that Muhyiddin is still waiting for Umno to recommend an acceptable candidate to be DPM. The position has been reserved for Umno.

Muhyiddin cannot appoint Ahmad Zahid as DPM as the latter is facing court charges.

The source said Muhyiddin can appoint a DPM based on the recommendation from Umno.

The Umno leader told Sin Chew Daily, "PPBM should have more respect for Umno. The prime minister should have closed-door discussion with Umno on the DPM candidacy.

"Offering Umno a DPM post is seen as equal partnership. Muhyiddin only had six MPs under PPBM while Azmin Ali has ten with him. A total of 15 Umno MPs defected to PPBM. Umno has 39 MPs and this makes the party the largest component in the ruling coalition," he said.

The source is of the view that since Umno has the highest number of MPs under PN, it should be allocated with a DPM position and other key positions in the government.

"The heads of political parties should gather to discuss key issues and not decided by just one man," he said.

Umno grassroots find it hard to accept the fact that Ahmad Zahid is not offered any position in the government although he is the president of Umno.

The source said PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang was also not appointed a minister. Hence, Ahmad Zahid would have to accept it although he is unhappy with the arrangement.

"Umno is waiting to negotiate with Muhyiddin again for more reasonable and fair treatment. We are waiting for further actions from Muhyiddin as an equal partner.

"Currently Umno is not involved in matters related to finance and economy in the government. This is unfair to Umno as the largest political party," he asserted.

He also brought up the frustration of Umno grassroots, as they perceive Muhyiddin and his members are out to control and destroy Umno.