KUALA LUMPUR – The decision to withdraw support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Perikatan Nasional administration was an easy one, said Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
In a tweet, today, the Pontian MP said in signing the statutory declaration to be submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on not supporting Muhyiddin and PN, he had two choices.
“Either to abide by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree, uphold the constitution and abide by Umno’s decision on July 7, or support Muhyiddin, abandon the constitution and disobey the party’s directives,” he tweeted.
“Of course I chose the first.”
Saya membuat keputusan yg tidak sukar bila tandatangani warkah kpd SPB YDP #Agong iaitu
— Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) August 3, 2021
SAMADA
1. Mendaulat titah Tuanku, tegakkan Perlembagaan & ikut keputusan parti #UMNO 7/7/21
ATAU
2. Sokong TS Mahiaddin, tidak ikut Perlembagaan & engkar parti
Tentu saya pilih yg pertama.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said in a statement today said the decision to back her party is endorsed by the Pengerang Umno division.
The Pengerang MP said the move to withdraw support from Muhyiddin and PN is in line with Umno’s foundation and purpose as laid down in its constitution, which is to support and defend the federal and state constitutions and constitutional monarchy.
“The royal institution is an umbrella, which protects the nation,” she added.
Kenyataan Media 3 Ogos 2021: UMNO Bahagian Pengerang Berdiri Teguh Bersama YB Presiden Dan Parti UMNO#UMNO pic.twitter.com/2Ws90cyLru
— Azalina Othman Said (@AzalinaOthmanS) August 3, 2021
Both Ahmad and Azalina were present alongside party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when he announced that the Supreme Council has agreed to no longer defend Muhyiddin and his government following their “failure” to table and vote on emergency ordinances before August 1 as decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Zahid said he has enough statutory declarations from among his party’s MPs to see to the PN administration’s collapse.
A letter has been sent to the Agong informing His Majesty of the party’s withdrawal of support for Muhyiddin as prime minister, he added.
Other Umno MPs who joined Zahid in the live address are Datuk Seri Najib Razak (Pekan), Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (Machang), Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands), Tan Sri Noh Omar (Tg Karang), Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling), Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Gua Musang), Datuk Ahmad Nazlan Idris (Jerantut) and Datuk Mohd Nizar Zakaria (Parit).
Deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was also present.
“This shows he (Muhyiddin) has lost majority and legitimacy as the head of government,” said Zahid.
He added that Umno will be sending another declaration letter from its MPs to the palace when it is granted an audience with the king. – The Vibes, August 3, 2021