KUALA LUMPUR – Umno had no choice but to withdraw its support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as this is the only viable solution for the betterment of the nation and its people, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The former prime minister said the decision to pull the plug on the Perikatan Nasional government is correct considering it has failed to address the Covid-19 pandemic and is unstable as a result of a slim majority.
This also satisfies the Malay Rulers’ desire for a stable government to rule the country – one that has the confidence and support of the people, he added.
“The way to resolve the current issue is not by replacing an unstable backdoor government, which has a slim majority and is built on betrayals, with another government that is (similar in nature),” he said in a Facebook post today.
“That is why the coming interim government must have a term limit and clear objective. It must not stay in power beyond three to six months, as it is also a backdoor government, not chosen by the rakyat.
“Besides, the current Parliament term will automatically dissolve less than two years from now.”
The Barisan Nasional adviser said BN and Umno are not afraid to face the test of election when the time comes, and questions if PN and opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan feel the same way.
“If they believe that they have strong support from the rakyat and their performances when in power are good, then they too should not fear facing the rakyat.”
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had, in a live briefing just past midnight today, announced that the Umno Supreme Council has decided to withdraw its support for the prime minister with immediate effect.
This effectively means that Muhyiddin has lost the majority support required for him to remain as the head of government.
Umno urged the Bersatu president to honourably step down and make way for an interim prime minister who will focus on putting the country back on track amid the Covid-19 pandemic, before calling for a general election.
The decision to pull out of PN comes just hours after Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein were appointed as deputy prime minister and senior minister, respectively. – The Vibes, July 8, 2021