PUTRAJAYA – A high-level meeting of Perikatan Nasional party leaders and their allies is under way at the prime minister’s office at Perdana Putra here.
It is understood that the meet, scheduled to begin at 5pm, is to discuss the status of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s leadership following several Umno MPs’ withdrawal of support for him and the PN administration.
Among the leaders seen entering the complex since 3.45pm are Sarawak Chief Minister and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu president Datuk Abang Johari Openg, Transport Minister and MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, and Law Minister and PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
The meeting comes amid rumours that Muhyiddin is considering bringing a confidence vote in Parliament on August 18 instead of next month as announced earlier.
It also takes place after the prime minister earlier today chaired the weekly cabinet meeting, and before that, his audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the morning.
It was reported that the king asked Muhyiddin to expedite the confidence vote after His Majesty received a raft of statutory declarations putting the Bersatu president’s majority in jeopardy.
Following the meeting, Muhyiddin’s official car was seen exiting the compound of Perdana Putra at 5.30pm accompanied by his security convoy.
The Vibes yesterday reported that PN leaders are expected to have a showdown meeting with Muhyiddin today.
A source said the talks will discuss the ruling pact’s future following the withdrawal of support by at least 15 Umno MPs.
“The situation does not look good. It seems PN no longer has the numbers.”
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly sent to the Agong SDs reaffirming the withdrawal of support for PN and Muhyiddin.
Opposition MPs from Pakatan Harapan, Warisan, Pejuang and Parti Sarawak Bersatu, as well as Muda’s Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and independent Maszlee Malik, followed suit.
It is learnt that the delivery of the SDs is so that the king can recommend to Muhyiddin that a confidence vote be held before the Dewan Rakyat sitting slated to begin next month.
The prime minister has said he will test his majority only in September, triggering criticism from MPs on both sides of the divide calling for the matter to be tabled sooner.
With the withdrawal of support by Umno lawmakers led by Zahid, Muhyiddin has technically lost his majority. – The Vibes, August 11, 2021
