PUTRAJAYA – PAS today said none of its 18 MPs backs Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who claims to have majority support in Parliament, and challenged the PKR president to name the lawmakers on his side.
Anwar this afternoon said he has “formidable and convincing support” to form a new government, and that he had sought an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday.
However, the meeting did not materialise as the king is undergoing treatment at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told reporters here that his party is committed to the Perikatan Nasional government led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
On Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that the party will not stop its MPs from supporting Anwar, Tuan Ibrahim acknowledged politicians’ right to choose whom to support, but said parties must have some control over their lawmakers.
PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said a government cannot be toppled based merely on one individual’s claim of majority support.
“Does Anwar have the numbers? If he does, then he must have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. If the king is satisfied, then Parliament must be dissolved or the prime minister must step down.
“The government will not fall just because someone made a statement. There are procedures to adhere to. We also want to see the numbers (Anwar claims to have),” he told reporters in Kota Baru.
Stressing that PAS and its MPs support PN, he said: “We are confident that the government is strong despite having a small majority.”
Party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang took to his social media accounts to say PAS will continue strengthening its relationship with its PN partners.
He said Muhyiddin has the full backing of PAS MPs and is the legitimate prime minister, as far as the constitution is concerned.
“PAS calls on all Malaysians to unite and support the efforts of the PN government to contain the Covid-19 pandemic and revive the economy.”
Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said Anwar was staging a gimmick ahead of the Sabah elections on Saturday.
"So long as he does not announce the names of the MPs backing him, I will consider it as empty talk. Let’s wait and see whether anything materialises,” he said after an event here. – Bernama, September 23, 2020
