UMNO President, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed to Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to exclude him from being appointed in the new Cabinet.

He revealed this when addressing the Bagan Datuk UMNO leaders and members here this afternoon.

"I am confident that the Prime Minister has all the considerations to appoint those who are qualified, competent and capable to assist him in the Cabinet line-up,” he said when opening the joint UMNO branch meetings in the Bagan Datuk division for the year 2020.

Ahmad Zahid had yesterday denied UMNO is 'lobbying' for the number two seat in the government.

He said UMNO had instead submitted the names of several Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs to the Prime Minister a few days ago to pick the most qualified individual.

"That is the discretion of the prime minister on who will be appointed after taking into account some considerations from the list," he said after attending a hearing of his case at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex in Jalan Duta.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the BN chairman is facing 47 charges, 12 of which were for breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving funds owned by the Akalbudi Foundation.

Muhyiddin, in his first speech after being appointed prime minister, had made it clear that only those who were clean, persons of caliber and integrity would be appointed members of his Cabinet.

The statement seems to give the impression that the UMNO president who is facing trial would be excluded from the new Cabinet.

Meanwhile, at a press conference after today’s meeting, Ahmad Zahid said his decision was final.

“I, as the Barisan Nasional Chairman and also the UMNO President, have decided to offer myself not to be appointed in any Cabinet position.

“I pray that Allah Ta’ala gives our prime minister the guidance, protect the Perikatan Nasional government and make Malaysia a country that is peaceful.

"My decision is final after considering all the factors I have mentioned in my speech just now," he added.