Divine intervention led me to replace Muhyiddin, Zahid tells Kota Tinggi Umno

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says his appointment as deputy prime minister is Allah's fate for him. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, August 21, 2015.Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today sought to appease Umno leaders from Kota Tinggi, Johor, over his recent appointment as deputy prime minister, saying that it was "divine intervention".

He said he was aware that the recent political developments at the national level had left an impact on the state, but he assured them that "there is a reason for everything".

"I know that in Johor, with the political situation at the national level, everything now seems polemic and in turmoil. But I am confident that what happened to me was divine intervention.

"It was Allah's fate for me. It's just like the sixth pillar of Islam: Believe in qada' and qadar (fate and destiny)," he said when officiating the Kota Tinggi Umno annual general meeting in Felda Lok Heng Timur.

The Umno vice-president said when Allah determined such a fate should befall him, he was in no position to reject it.

"We know there must be a reason for it. So I didn't turn it down. But I am not talking about any leader or individual.

"The fact is, Umno must go on, to keep fighting," said Zahid.

Former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyuddin Yassin commands strong grassroots support in Johor Umno, and his abrupt sacking from the Cabinet last month reportedly left many in his home state unhappy.

But Zahid quickly won his audience over today with the promise that the hall they were gathered in for their general meeting would be equipped with air-conditioning next year.

He noted that the delegates were suffering from the heat while they listened to his speech and that the portable fans were doing little to alleviate their discomfort.

"Your division chief is too embarrassed to ask me for money. But he called me here for a reason.

"Next year, I want to see this big hall air-conditioned," he said to loud applause and cheering from the delegates.

He also urged them not to fall for the "constant poking" by their enemies, adding that they should instead focus on strengthening the party.

"When you don't get any positions, please come back to Umno, don't destroy Umno."

- TMI