KUALA LUMPUR – After losing its prime minister, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the new administration led by Umno is still a Perikatan Nasional government.
Speaking to the press outside the PN headquarters in Publika, Faizal said this is because the majority of MPs who support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob are from PN while Umno’s Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has 41 MPs.
“This is still a PN government. Our friend (BN) only has the support of 41 MPs,” he said after PN’s supreme council meeting here today.
Faizal said there was no talk of the cabinet formation nor the deputy prime minister’s position during the meeting today chaired by PN chief and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“We did not discuss that matter. We will leave it to the president (Muhyiddin) to decide and discuss with Ismail Sabri. We believe the prime minister will make the right decision.
“What is important is to form a cabinet to save the country from political turmoil and an economic crisis. We want a stable government and we will support Ismail Sabri’s administration.”
He added that PN will continue its efforts to prepare the party and its machinery for the next general election.
“On our end, we will continue to strengthen our machinery and the component parties for the upcoming election.”
Before the meeting ended, PN’s top brass were seen converging at Publika.
Among leaders seen were PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Sabah Star secretary-general Datuk Guan Dee Koh Hoi, PN Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin, Srikandi Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun and PN Youth information chief Muhammad Hilman Idham.
When approached, Rina declined to comment.
The PN government narrative has recently been shot down by two Umno leaders – secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
Both disagree on labelling Ismail Sabri’s administration a PN government, saying it is more of a mixed one.
Ismail Sabri has the backing of 114 parliamentarians, a simple majority support to form the government. But he still has to muster enough votes when a confidence motion is tabled in the Dewan Rakyat when it convenes next month.
The MPs are from GPS (18), Umno (37), Bersatu (31), PAS (18), MCA (2), MIC (1), PBRS (1), PBS (1), Sabah Star (1) and independent (4).
All eyes will now be on the formation of his new cabinet and the appointment of a deputy, which he is set to announce in due time.
Of particular interest will be the position of deputy prime minister, with several Bersatu leaders said to be fighting over the post. – The Vibes, August 22, 2021
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