In a Facebook post, the former prime minister said if all ministers in Bersatu, PAS and Umno agree to approve the final withdrawal of RM10,000 at the next Cabinet meeting, there should be no reason why the process could not be implemented quickly.

He added that he was pleased to see that Ahmad has reiterated his support for the i-Citra withdrawal.

However, he said it was not fair for Ahmad to blame only Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob even though this request was one of the Umno Supreme Council’s decisions when the party decided to support him as prime minister.

“Now that PN has already pledged its conditional support for Ismail and he is indeed its choice as prime minister, I hope that Ahmad will ask other PN ministers to support the call for one final withdrawal under the i-Citra scheme,” he said.

Najib said he was informed that this issue was raised during a Cabinet meeting but was opposed by several Bersatu ministers, including the finance minister who was first appointed by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin when he was prime minister.

Earlier today, Ahmad questioned why Ismail had still not given the green light for the i-Citra withdrawal when some Umno leaders were suggesting it was vital for Malaysians who are struggling after being hit by Covid-19 and the floods.

“I understand Ismail wants to implement this withdrawal but the finance minister (Tengku Zafrul Aziz) is opposed to it,” he said.