Talk of Pakatan MPs supporting PM quashed

PORT DICKSON: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has quashed talk that some Pakatan Harapan MPs will lend support to Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin in order for him to remain Prime Minister when a motion of confidence is tabled in Parliament on Sept 7.

“Pakatan’s stand is to name a candidate from our side simply because we are the largest bloc (in Parliament).

“Talk of giving support to other candidates does not arise at all,” the Port Dickson MP told reporters after presenting food baskets to his constituents here yesterday.

The Opposition Leader and PKR president was asked to comment on speculation that some Pakatan MPs may back Muhyiddin and Perikatan Nasional to prevent Umno from taking power.

There is also speculation of DAP supporting Muhyiddin via a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) where the party does not join the government but supports a minority government in return for certain concessions.

Asked about the Pakatan presidential council’s call to all MPs opposing Muhyiddin to support him as the prime ministerial candidate, Anwar said this was to clear the air over its stand on the matter.

“The council made the decision as there has been some confusion following speculation that talks were being held on the quiet to name other individuals as possible candidates.

“The council’s decision also means that we, in Pakatan, are open to working with other parties,” he said.

Anwar repeated his call for Muhyiddin to step down, saying it was clear that he had lost majority support in Parliament.

The motion of confidence in Parliament scheduled for Sept 7 should also be brought forward, he added.