Zahid aware that many Barisan MPs have backed Anwar

PETALING JAYA: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) says he received information that many Umno and Barisan Nasional MPs have voiced support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form a new government.

“I respect their stand, ” he said in a brief statement.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan chairman, said Umno and Barisan could not prevent its MPs from supporting Anwar.

“Umno and Barisan are not officially part of Perikatan Nasional.

“Support for the Perikatan government is based on the support of individual MPs only, ” he said.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Umno MPs were still supporting Perikatan.

However, he added that to his knowledge, none of them had indicated their support for Anwar.

“Any change in support must be decided by the party, ” he said when contacted.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is the Umno MP from Rembau, tweeted yesterday: “Just finished the Cabinet meeting. Nothing has fallen or collapsed” in an apparent reference to the state of the government.