[UPDATED] ‘I’m very confident unity govt will last full term’

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed confidence that his government will remain through the full parliamentary term amid speculations of attempts to topple the administration.

Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, said if it is true that Perikatan Nasional (PN) has obtained the support of the majority of MPs to form a new government, the coalition is welcome to prove it in Parliament.

“Move a motion in Parliament, I have no problem,” he told reporters when asked about rumours of statutory declarations being signed to support a new prime minister from the opposition coalition.

“Every week (there are rumours), it’s like weekly daydreams. (There were speculations) before the fasting month, before and after Aidilfitri, (as well as) before Aidiladha, Thaipusam, and Chinese New Year.

“But god willing, the unity government will remain the full term until the next general election.”

Asked how confident he was about this, Anwar said: “I’m very confident, otherwise I wouldn’t say this.”

His comment today comes on the back of ongoing speculations that PN is plotting a move to topple the unity government. 

On April 24, The Vibes reported a purported fresh plot by the opposition coalition to unseat Anwar by forcing by-elections. 

A source close to the matter said the plan is being manoeuvred by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and other coalition big wigs and involves “persuading” Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers to vacate their seats and force a by-election and then re-contesting under the PN banner. 

The move would also require persuading Sabah and Sarawak parties to shift their support away from Anwar. 

Last Sunday, Bersatu supreme council member Muhammad Faiz Na’aman posted a veiled comment on his Facebook hinting that the opposition has secured the support of 126 MPs and expressed confidence the government would collapse before completing its full term. 

Anwar had also previously urged the public not to entertain individuals supposedly behind the coup plot, describing them as delusional. – The Vibes, May 5, 2023