KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on all parties to put a halt to any provocative statements and actions that may incite the people's anger.
Barisan Nasional chairman said this is to enable the newly-formed unity government deal with the challenges facing the nation.
Zahid said he was confident that the government will be able to resolve the issues in the interests of the country and its people.
"(This is) on the condition that all parties stop making provocative statements and actions that may anger the people.
"Do not disturb the order and unity, as well as the government's efforts to improve the country's economy.
"Let us come together as Malaysians and work for a better future for all," said the newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister his in a posting on Facebook last night.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier announced the Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament as one of two Deputy Prime Ministers in his cabinet. The other is Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Zahid will also lead the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
He described the appointments as a trust that comes with heavy responsibility in the face of the current economic environment.
"I am humbly grateful to Allah S.W.T for the announcement by YAB Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim just now (last night). Thank you for the PM's trust placed in me and my friends in Barisan Nasional (BN) to be in the Cabinet.
"This trust is not ghanimah (spoils of war), but a taklif (invitation) which is a very heavy responsibility in the world economic environment predicted to be very challenging next year.
"Congratulations to all those who have been appointed and hopefully the cooperation of all parties will see in extraordinary success for the country. We will stop the political instability that has greatly damaged and hindered Malaysia's prosperity," he said.