Dr M said to have received backing of 138 MPs

Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamed

PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is said to have received the support of 138 MPs from both sides of the divide to remain as Prime Minister for the full term.

The country’s political scene has been on overdrive with the issue of lawmakers allegedly signing statutory declarations supporting Dr Mahathir.

It is understood that 138 of the 222 MPs have thrown their support behind the Prime Minister. This is just short of 10 seats needed for a strong two-thirds majority.

As talk of support for Dr Mahathir heightens, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met the senior leader to discuss the power transition.

And despite the pressure by certain groups aligned with Anwar for Dr Mahathir to step down in May, the latest statement by Anwar will probably see a shift in such a stand.

After meeting the Prime Minister yesterday, Anwar said that he is inclined to have Dr Mahathir lead the nation until after Malaysia hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) in November.

This is an indication that Pakatan will endorse Dr Mahathir as Prime Minister until after Apec and the coalition is expected to finalise this at the presidential council meeting on Feb 21.

While PAS has maintained that they will support Dr Mahathir for the full term and has even said that they will push for a vote of confidence, Umno said the party will decide en bloc on this when the time comes.

Sabah’s Warisan is said to be closely assessing the political developments and is likely to move with the changes at the federal level.

Sarawak’s ruling parties in the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the meantime are eyeing which side to throw their support in the federal political leadership tussle that is brewing.