[UPDATED] Confidence vote to be held in Dewan next month: PM

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that a vote of confidence to determine his legitimacy will be held in Parliament when the House reconvenes next month.

The announcement was made in a special televised address to the nation at 12.30pm, after he completed his weekly audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara this morning.

“During the audience, I presented to the Agong that I’ve received a number of statutory declarations from MPs, convincing me that the majority of Dewan Rakyat members still support me. Therefore, the issue of my resignation under Article 43(4) (of the federal constitution) is not raised.

However, I’m aware that my position as prime minister has been questioned many times. Therefore, I presented to the Agong that I will determine my majority as prime minister in Parliament.”

Article 43(4) stipulates that if the prime minister ceases to command the confidence of the majority of MPs, then, unless at his request that the Agong dissolves Parliament, the prime minister shall tender the resignation of his cabinet.

Muhyiddin said with the confidence motion, his position as the head of government and Perikatan Nasional as the ruling pact will be determined in accordance with the law and constitution.

The cabinet and government administrative machinery will, in the meantime, continue to function, with a focus on containing Covid-19, said the Pagoh MP.

“I will ensure that the ongoing vaccination programme is not disrupted, and continues to be implemented according to schedule. Similarly, the assistance announced by the government will be distributed to the people without any hindrances.

“I urge all civil servants, particularly frontliners, to persevere in carrying out their duties and responsibilities, without being distracted by the political turmoil deliberately triggered by certain parties.”

He stressed that he will not sacrifice his principles and renounce his oath of office.

The Bersatu president vowed to execute his duties with honesty, pledged his allegiance to the king and nation, and promised to defend the constitution.

I know that there are parties unhappy with my insistence, and for not entertaining some of their demands. This includes urging me to intervene in court affairs to acquit several individuals on trial for criminal offences.

“I have also been accused of disobeying the king, but what I have done is merely to preserve the supremacy of the constitution and defend the dignity of the institution of the constitutional monarchy.”

The cabinet members who joined Muhyiddin in the live address were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob; International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali; Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man; Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong; Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin; Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili; and, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, too, was present.

Muhyiddin arrived at the palace at 10.53am for his highly anticipated audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

A flurry of activity and speculation had preceded his weekly audience with the king. The meeting is routinely held before the prime minister chairs the cabinet meet that normally takes place on Wednesdays.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was seen arriving at Putrajaya’s Perdana Putra complex, which houses the prime minister’s office, at 9.20am. He was followed by defence forces chief Tan Sri Affendi Buang at 9.31am.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun’s vehicle was spotted entering Istana Negara at 9.30am, and left via Gate 2 after Muhyiddin’s exit.

Yesterday, the Umno Supreme Council resoundingly agreed to withdraw support for Muhyiddin and the PN government, leaving the legitimacy of the prime minister and his administration up in the air.

Despite Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s announcement on the withdrawal, the party’s Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim claimed that the Supreme Council had pushed ahead with the departure from PN without first consulting Umno parliamentarians.

Shahidan also chairs the PN Backbenchers’ Club.

Shortly past midnight, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was seen entering the Seri Pacific Hotel here for a meeting with “pro-PN” Umno lawmakers.

According to Malaysiakini, the Umno vice-president met with MPs including Shahidan, Datuk Seri Zahidi Zainul Abidin (Padang Besar) and Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Padang Rengas). – The Vibes, August 4, 2021