[UPDATED] Umno, BN MPs pledge against supporting no-confidence votes

KUALA LUMPUR – All 42 Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs have unanimously pledged to not support any motion on a no-confidence vote should it be brought in the next Parliament sitting, said BN.

In a statement today, BN MPs, ministers and deputy ministers said the lawmakers have also agreed that Parliament will reconvene under the present Standing Orders or any other necessary amendments required.

“We sincerely hope that this Parliament sitting will be able to focus on the issues faced by the people in view of the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said.

Umno and BN MPs, it said, also agreed to continue supporting the National Recovery Plan, which was been tabled by the government as an effort to strengthen measures to control the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

“Ministers and deputy ministers from Umno/BN will also ensure full commitment in performing their respective duties and roles, especially involving tasks and portfolios that are directly related to curbing the spread of Covid-19, vaccination implementation and economic recovery of the people and the country.

“What is certain is that the priority of Umno and BN MPs is to ensure the people’s well-being with a focus on security and prosperity, as well as the future of Malaysia.”

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Monday issued an ultimatum to Perikatan Nasional, giving it 14 days to reconvene Parliament, failing which, his party will call a Supreme Council meeting to discuss its next step.

In a statement, he said the BN lynchpin fully supports the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Conference of Rulers’ decrees on a parliamentary sitting.

The government’s failure to heed the decrees is considered a form of rebellion and disrespect to the institution of the Malay rulers, he said.

Meanwhile, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council called on the government to reconvene Parliament sittings before August 1.

In a statement today, the council said the prime minister’s plans to form a bipartisan committee to study hybrid Parliament sittings should not be an excuse to further delay proceedings.

“PH is ready to join the committee under the condition that Parliament is reconvened soonest, before August 1.”

Additionally, the council stated the coalition will also work on a petition among its MPs to prove that the majority of MPs support the reconvening of Parliament as soon as possible.

“When ready, the petition will be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” it said. – The Vibes, June 23, 2021