KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said he has the support of more than 120 federal lawmakers and submitted the list of names to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah this morning.
He told a press conference today that he had submitted the documents in the form of statutory declarations as well as endorsements from party presidents to the Agong.
“It (the support) has reached more than 120 (MPs) but because the Agong will call party presidents, we must give the Agong space and time. Agong has his own discretion and we should not be giving him any deadlines.
“We must be patient,” he said. The Dewan Rakyat has 222 lawmakers.
Anwar said a government formed under his administration will be an “inclusive” one and promised that there will not be political persecution or political vendetta.
He also denied that he has cut deals with political figures who have corruption charges laid against them in order to obtain the parliamentary support.
However, Anwar said he has assured federal lawmakers who support him that there will be no malicious prosecution, and the rule of law will be paramount.
When asked if he has spoken to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar said there has been no direct contact and communications between emissaries.
On the Agong appointing him as prime minister, Anwar said any decision made will be according to the Federal Constitution.
“The King assured me that in no uncertain terms he will follow the constitution.
“He also has discretion and should be given adequate time to study and digest the papers and documents, and to consult the other party leaders. I’m not in the position to decide (for the Agong).”
Anwar was flanked by his wife and Pandan MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail at the press conference.
Meanwhile, a source told The Vibes that leaders of six parties are expected to have an audience with the Agong over the next two weeks.
The line-up is in addition to veteran politician and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who was summoned to Istana Negara for a royal audience to discuss matters related to the current political situation at 2pm today.
First among the six is DAP secretary-general and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng who has reportedly received a notice from the palace to be present for an audience tomorrow.
The remaining leaders expected to meet the Agong are PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (Marang MP), MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Bagan Datuk MP), Amanah president Mohamad Sabu (Kota Raja MP) and MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (Ayer Hitam MP).
Of these, Mohamad Sabu has confirmed that all his party’s 11 MPs will support Anwar in his bid to wrest Putrajaya from the present Perikatan Nasional administration headed by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Zahid had said the Umno leadership will not stop the party’s MPs from supporting Anwar to form a new government. – The Vibes pic, October 13, 2020
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