KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition parties have denied throwing their support behind Prime Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is facing a leadership impasse.
Pejuang in a statement today said it has not signed any statutory declaration favouring Muhyiddin, despite the latter’s claim of having sufficient parliamentarian support.
Information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin said Pejuang has never engaged in any talk with the prime minister on the matter.
“Pejuang strongly denies any cooperation or negotiation with any party, let alone support the Perikatan Nasional government, which has clearly failed.
“Anything circulating otherwise is false and irresponsible.”
Pejuang has consistently stated that it does not agree with the existing government and asked the prime minister and his cabinet to resign, he added.
“Our focus remains with taking steps to resolve the plight of the people in facing problems on health and the economy.”
Separately, Pakatan Harapan and several other aligned MPs have stressed that they, too, reject Muhyiddin’s leadership.
“It is impossible that Mahiaddin still commands the majority of the Dewan Rakyat after the withdrawal of support from several MPs yesterday,” said the opposition leaders in a joint statement today, using Muhyiddin’s “official” name.
“We are also maintaining our stance that Mahiaddin and the entire cabinet must resign.”
The joint statement was signed by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Upko’s Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, Parti Sarawak Bersatu’s Baru Bian and Datuk Masir Kujat, as well as independent politician Maszlee Malik.
The opposition MPs also agreed that a special Parliament sitting must be held no later than August 9 based on Dewan Rakyat Standing Order 11 (3), which is to table, debate and decide on the motion of confidence on the prime minister.
“We cannot except the issue involving the support for the prime minister to be postponed until September. It is unreasonable for a government that has both doubtful legitimacy and majority support to delay the process of determining its support in Parliament.
“Taking into account the current pandemic that continues to afflict the rakyat, increasing deaths from Covid-19 and slowing economy, the issue involving an unstable government must be resolved now.”
Earlier today, Muhyiddin announced that a vote of confidence to determine his legitimacy will be held in Parliament when it reconvenes next month.
The announcement was made in a special televised address to the nation at 12.30pm, after the prime minister completed his weekly audience with the king at Istana Negara this morning.
The vote comes after the Umno Supreme Council resoundingly agreed to withdraw support for Muhyiddin and the PN government, leaving the legitimacy of the prime minister and his administration in limbo. – The Vibes, August 4, 2021
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