Barisan will support Anwar in confidence vote, says Zahid

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional will fully support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the confidence vote in Parliament on Dec 19, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Barisan chairman and Umno president urged Malaysians to stop speculating on the prime ministership and accept the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's decision on the unity government.

"We need to move forward and accept the King's decision to build the nation and move towards stability and sustainability," he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (Nov 27).

"As such, with due respect for the King's wishes, we will support Anwar during the vote of confidence, silencing those who oppose him," he added.

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Ahmad Zahid said Barisan will adhere to the democratic process, to help form and support the new government.

He came under pressure for supporting Pakatan Harapan with a letter to the Palace saying 30 Barisan MPs supported a unity government headed by Anwar.

However, the Umno supreme council endorsed his decision and decided not to support Perikatan Nasional, which had 73 seats compared with Pakatan's 82, in a unity government.

On Thursday (Nov 24), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appointed Anwar as the 10th Prime Minister after conferring with his fellow Rulers.