‘No Barisan MP supports Muhyiddin as PM’

PETALING JAYA: None of the Barisan Nasional MPs support Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the 10th Prime Minister, says the Barisan supreme council.

“Our MPs are not supporting Muhyiddin’s candidacy as prime minister. This has been conveyed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” said Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.

He said the decision not to support Muhyiddin was made at the Barisan supreme council meeting yesterday.

However, the statement did not mention if Barisan would have a post-electoral cooperation with Pakatan Harapan.

On Monday, Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and several Barisan leaders met with Pakatan MPs at Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, fuelling talk that both coalitions were in discussions over the necessary numbers to form the government.

Muhyiddin had previously said that Perikatan had secured the support of a majority of MPs and the coalition had submitted statutory declarations (SDs) to Istana Negara backing him as prime minister.

Perikatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin also claimed the number of SDs sent to Istana Negara had exceeded 112, which is the number of MPs needed to establish a simple majority in Parliament and appoint a prime minister.The Barisan supreme council was also taking a stand to remain open to discussion with any parties to ensure that a government was formed in the interest of the country and for the betterment of the people, said Zambry.

“We call on all parties concerned to have a cooling-off period while the country is facing the current political situation,” he added.

Earlier, MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran said Barisan would not take sides and was not supporting any other coalition, be it Pakatan or Perikatan.

“So, any SDs submitted purportedly supporting any of the sides are null and void,” he said.

Sabah Barisan liaison chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin echoed the sentiment, saying Barisan would not take any sides and any decision by Barisan MPs had to be en bloc.

When asked if Barisan was prepared to play the role of the Opposition, he said yes.