Appointment As Malaysian DPM Not A Reward But A Responsibility - Ahmad Zahid

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), July 29 (Bernama) -- Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described his appointment as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister replacing Muhyiddin Yasin not as a reward, but a responsibility to the nation and all races in Malaysia. Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO (Malaysia's largest political party) Vice President, said his appointment which is effective from Wednesday was proof that he had been a team player with Prime Minister Najib Razak for a long time. "I cannot avoid the responsibility and it is history repeating itself when Najib was appointed Youth and Sports Minister and I was appointed Political Secretary. "Then, I followed Najib as Political Secretary when he was appointed Defence Minister," he told reporters after the announcement of a cabinet reshuffle by the Prime Minister here Tuesday. In the reshuffle, Ahmad Zahid who retains his portfolio as Home Minister said: "I never expected and saw it (the appointment as Deputy Prime Minister) but Allah has destined it. I accept it as fate." Ahmad Zahid also urged all cabinet members, UMNO Supreme Council members and the top leadership of Barisan Nasional (BN or National Front) to continue supporting Najib. The cabinet reshuffle sees five people being dropped and seven new appointments as ministers. --BERNAMA