Muhyiddin: I am still the PM

KUALA LUMPUR - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he is still the prime minister of Malaysia and his ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition remains standing firm in the face of contrary claims by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In a statement today, Muhyiddin said the PKR president’s assertion must be proven based on the process enshrined under the Federal Constitution.

Article 43(2)(a) of the constitution states that the Agong shall appoint an MP as the prime minister who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority members of Dewan Rakyat.

“Without going through this process, Anwar’s statement remains as a mere claim,” Muhyiddin, who heads the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

“And until proven otherwise, the PN government still stands strong and I am the legitimate prime minister,” he said.

Muhyiddin also urged the public to remain calm amid the latest announcement by Anwar who is opposition leader.

He added that the issue will be resolved accordingly based on the constitution and rule of law.

Earlier today, Anwar had claimed that he has the majority support in Parliament and insisted that the current administration "has collapsed". 

However, he did not reveal any numbers and said that this would only be done after an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who is currently warded for treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN).

PN parties throw support behind Muhyiddin

In a separate statement, PN stressed that Muhyiddin still has the full backing of its component parties to remain as prime minister.

“All the parties working together under PN, namely Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Rakyat Sabah (STAR) remain in support of Muhyiddin’s government,” it said.

“As such, we deny Anwar’s claim that he supposedly has the majority support to form the government.

“His statement is nothing more than a cheap publicity stunt as he has done various times previously.”

The statement was jointly signed by secretary-generals of PN parties, namely Tan Sri Annuar Musa (BN), Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (Bersatu), Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS), Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (GPS), Datuk Jahid Jahim (PBS) and Guan Dee Bin Kohoi (STAR).

It went on to say that Anwar’s latest statement just proved his power-hungry attitude, disregarding political stability, the country’s economy and the wellbeing of the rakyat amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are confident the rakyat will reject such politics and will remain supporting the PN government that continues to care for the people,” it added. - The Vibes, September 23, 2020.