Zahid said that Mohamad, who is the assemblyman for Rantau in Negeri Sembilan and former menteri besar, has been consistently working to find solutions to ease the situation.
He said it was unfair to claim that Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, was the mastermind behind the crisis, Bernama reported.
“He is trying to find ways to resolve the issue. So, it is unfair to level such accusations against him.
“He has been in constant discussions and negotiations with party leaders to seek a solution,” he was quoted as saying, in an interview held in conjunction with Umno’s 80th anniversary.
He was also responding to DAP Youth, which had called for the removal of Mohamad as foreign minister following the crisis in Negeri Sembilan, which saw all 14 Umno assemblymen in the state withdraw their support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, citing a loss of confidence in the PKR leader.
Zahid today said there is no question of Umno’s assemblymen in the state withdrawing suport to become the opposition.
“There may be interpretations or perceptions that they disagreed over the appointment of the menteri besar, but this must be viewed in a broader context,” he said.
Yesterday, Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias said the party’s assemblymen are prepared to assume the role of the opposition despite the party’s central leadership having earlier stated that it would continue to support the state’s unity government.
Jalaluddin also said he takes responsibility for the crisis, but stressed that the move was necessary to steer members back to the party’s core struggle.
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said on Thursday that Jalaluddin had explained the rationale for withdrawing support for Aminuddin, and that the party respected the decision.
However, Asyraf said the party would continue to back the unity government in Negeri Sembilan to ensure political stability.
Umno and Pakatan Harapan will discuss the administrative crisis in Negeri Sembilan through the unity government leadership consultative council, which is scheduled to meet next week.