KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s decision to pull the plug on the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government will not affect the administration of the federal government, said Bersatu.
Party information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, in a statement said that in a Westminster democracy system like Malaysia, a government is formed by a prime minister based on the majority support of Parliament.
This is in reference to the fact that the withdrawal of support was announced by Umno as a party, and not by individual MPs.
“Bersatu will remain steadfast in supporting (Prime Minister Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin)’s leadership. Our stand is that we will continue safeguarding the interest of the people.
“Bersatu also feels that it is better that we focus our time and energy into achieving our goal of addressing the challenges faced by the country, and not to give rise to endless political polemics,” he said.
Earlier, Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun said that despite Umno's withdrawal of support, the prime ministership remains status quo.
He said Article 43(2)(a) stipulates that whether or not a person enjoys the support of the majority of MPs must be determined by the lawmakers themselves, and not via statements issued by a party or its leaders.
This follows Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dropping a bombshell after midnight today that the party is pulling the plug on Muhyiddin, and urging the premier to step down immediately.
Wan Saiful refuted Zahid’s claim that the government has failed to fulfil the rakyat’s aspirations, claiming that he (Zahid) was merely repeating the accusations made by the opposition.
He said the government has spent over RM500 billion to rebuild the economy and assist the rakyat, while the recently announced National Recovery Plan also clearly outlines strategies to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In terms of safeguarding the people’s welfare and health, and rebuilding the economy, the government is on its way to success.
“There are no threats or pressure that can cover up the fact that the PN government led by Muhyiddin has always prioritised the rakyat.”
Wan Saiful said if anything, it was Zahid who has failed on several fronts, including in maintaining unity and solidarity among Malay-Muslim political parties, and in understanding that the rakyat demands a caring government.
“He also failed to understand that the people are getting exhausted with excessive politicking, failed to take advantage of the Umno leaders with government positions to focus on the rakyat, and failed to place public agenda above personal one.” – The Vibes, July 8, 2021
