[UPDATED] PAS to discuss Anwar’s unity govt offer with Perikatan: Takiyuddin

KUALA LUMPUR – PAS will discuss Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s offer to join his unity government with Perikatan Nasional (PN), party secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said.

“Regarding the prime minister’s offer to PN to form a unity government led by him, PAS thanks him and will discuss the matter with other PN components in the near future.

“We will also survey the views and readiness of the public, especially voters, who gave encouraging support to PAS and PN in the 15th general election,” Takiyuddin said in a statement.

PN, chaired by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, initially rejected the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s advice to form a unity government, claiming PN had the support of 115 MPs, three more than the simple majority required to form a government.

However, PN made a U-turn yesterday, with its secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin saying the coalition will now consider forming a unity government with “like-minded parties”.

After Anwar was named as prime minister, Muhyiddin challenged to prove his support, saying he still had the statutory declarations of 115 MPs.

Addressing this in his first press conference as the newly appointed prime minister last night, Anwar said he would call for Parliament to convene on December 19, with a vote of confidence to be tabled as the first order of business.

Anwar was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister earlier yesterday after a week-long political impasse stemming from the November 19 general election that saw no major coalition command a simple majority to form the government. 

PH won 82 seats, PN 73, and Barisan Nasional 30. Smaller coalitions Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) won 23 and six respectively, while Warisan won three.

Under PN, PAS won 49 federal seats this election, compared to 18 in GE14 – making this their best electoral performance ever.

Anwar’s government as it stands, comprises PH, BN, GPS and GRS. – The Vibes, November 25, 2022