I held confidence vote because Muhyiddin challenged me: PM

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s move for a motion of confidence stems from the challenge made by Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on November 24, after Istana Negara announced Anwar as prime minister.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar (Tambun-PH) expressed his thanks to all lawmakers, including members of the opposition who questioned why his legitimacy required a vote of confidence when it was clear he commanded a majority in the lower House.

“Arau (Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim-PN) and Pasir Mas (Ahmad Fadhli Shaari-PN) raised the question why the motion was tabled.

“They must read Pagoh’s (Muhyiddin) statement challenging my legitimacy – even though the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the law minister, even the Yang di-Pertuan Agong himself, said there is no need for a confidence vote, seeing that there’s clear majority support (for me).

“But I choose not to look at this merely from the perspective of the law or the constitution but also on moral legitimacy.”

After Muhyiddin’s challenge, Anwar on November 24 told a crowd of 1,000 that his first agenda once Parliament convened would be to hold a vote of confidence.

Previously, Muhyiddin claimed he “had the numbers,” or 115 MPs – based on statutory declarations – to allow him to form a government. This allegedly included 10 MPs from Umno.

However, it was clear that Anwar commanded a majority in the Dewan Rakyat with the backing of 148 MPs from Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and Warisan, while PN had 74.

Prior to that GPS and GRS had preliminarily supported PN, but East Malaysians were up in arms over an alleged hate-based message from Muhyiddin.

This led to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reconsidering their decision.

Seeing the political deadlock, in his wisdom the king then instructed all political parties to form a unity government.

Only the Muhyiddin-led PN refused to follow the king’s instruction while GRS, GPS, and BN opted to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan led by Anwar. – The Vibes, December 20, 2022