KUALA LUMPUR – Problems continue to brew in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Umno veteran and Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz confirmed that several of his party’s backbenchers are discontented with Muhyiddin and are willing to withdraw their support for the prime minister.
However, Nazri insisted that Umno lawmakers will remain in the party, and that any show of protest against Muhyiddin will be done by way of rejecting government bills in Dewan Rakyat.
He said this is to pressure the prime minister into calling for a fresh election, something Umno has been pushing for.
He added in a series of meetings between party backbenchers and president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, among the issues brought up was their discontentment towards Muhyiddin.
This appears to corroborate The Vibes’ story quoting sources that the prime minister no longer commands the support of the majority in Dewan Rakyat after 15 Umno MPs supposedly support opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form a new government.
“It is not to say we are backing Anwar, that is unlikely considering his alliance with DAP. But if Muhyiddin continues to sideline Umno and thinks we are irrelevant, the possibility of our backbenchers not supporting the prime minister is higher,” Nazri told The Vibes today.
Umno backbenchers meet regular to voice disgruntlement
Nazri said among other things, Umno lawmakers were unhappy with Muhyiddin’s decision to unilaterally announce Sabah Bersatu chief Datuk Hajiji Noor as the candidate for chief minister should the state opposition pact win Saturday’s polls.
“We (backbenchers) always meet up, and we do express our dissatisfaction, even to our party president. This meeting doesn’t involve those with government positions but we include those holding posts in GLCs.
“And yes, I can confirm that the 15 MPs figure being reported is accurate. Perhaps more. If the situation doesn’t improve with Muhyiddin, expect us to block bills in the Dewan Rakyat.”
On conflicting statements issued by Zahid and Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa following Anwar’s claim that he has the majority support to form government, Nazri said only the president’s claim holds water.
Zahid had said there are many Umno MPs who will be backing Anwar while Annuar, in a joint statement with other PN parties, said Muhyiddin has their full backing as prime minister.
Nazri, however, said Zahid will know better considering he is Umno president and he is part of the party’s backbenchers.
“As for Annuar, he has a conflict of interest, seeing that he holds a ministerial position in the government. Zahid represents us backbenchers.”
No sense joining Anwar, says Shahidan
Like Nazri, PN Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said Umno MPs will not join Anwar and will remain in the party.
He said defecting Umno to join Anwar does not make much sense, as such an action will likely lead to the dissolution of Dewan Rakyat.
“Zahid did mention that he will not stop party members from crossing sides, but at the moment, this is not happening. This is what I’m getting from the backbenchers.
“There’s no logic to it (supporting Anwar), so I can confirm that all Umno MPs will remain in the party and that none will be swayed, as this will also means supporting DAP.”
Bung ‘sheepish’ at idea of mini exodus
On the shift of support among Umno MPs, Sabah party chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin appeared evasive and did not deny the speculations.
When asked on his personal stand, he said: “I have not given much thought about it (supporting Anwar). My focus for now is on Sabah and winning the state election.
“But politics is dynamic. One thing can happen today and another tomorrow. No one can predict what will happen. This is life, everything depends on circumstances.
“But at the moment, I am confident our MPs remain committed to PN,” he said. – The Vibes, September 24, 2020
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