“This is obviously not the right time for them (Bersatu) to discuss the (DPM’s) post.

“The people are struggling with inflation and rising cost of goods, which are a huge burden,” Pejuang deputy president Marzuki Yahya told FMT.

“Therefore, I think (that Bersatu) should focus on the economy and the rakyat, and not the DPM’s post.”

Marzuki’s comments come in the wake of a statement made on July 2 by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, that he had met Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss Cabinet appointments, during which the appointment of a DPM was raised.

Muhyiddin said the appointment of a DPM is part of the agreement between PN and Ismail, whose government is supported by a coalition made up of Barisan Nasional, PN, GPS and other parties.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said two days ago that there was no official agreement between both parties on the post, although he admitted that there were discussions on the post when Ismail first took over as prime minister.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin’s former principal private secretary Marzuki Mohamad confirmed that an agreement exists between Muhyiddin and Ismail on the DPM’s post. He said the agreement was witnessed by a minister from Bersatu and another from Umno.

Muhyiddin’s action in discussing the post drew criticisms from various leaders, notably Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and former prime minister Najib Razak, who accused the former of misplaced priorities.

Both of them said it was wrong for Muhyiddin to focus on the post when the rakyat were still struggling with the rising cost of living.