Zahid anticipates growing support for Anwar from opposition MPs

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can expect more opposition MPs to throw their backing behind the prime minister’s leadership.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that any new support from lawmakers would be well-received by the government. 

“We are of the view that it is not just the four people (MPs)...we expect maybe more than that who will give support to the prime minister,” said Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister. 

“We must be positive towards the support given.”

The Umno president said this to reporters in Parliament while commenting on the actions of four Bersatu MPs, who have over the past three weeks declared their support for Anwar.

On October 12, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid had declared his support for Anwar, followed by Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman doing the same on October 30.

Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim made his announcement on Wednesday.

Jeli MP Zahari Kechik followed suit yesterday.

They all claimed that they are still loyal to their party Bersatu.

However, in a related development, Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said that the four have requested that their seats in the Dewan Rakyat be changed. 

They are currently seated with their party colleagues among the opposition backbenchers in the house.

Johari told a press conference that he received a letter from all four regarding the matter today.

He said he would look at the rules of Parliament before making a decision.

“I will contact them during Deepavali. There will be an informal meeting (with them),” he said, referring to the festive period this weekend. – The Vibes, November 9, 2023