KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's claim of support through 115 statutory declarations (SDs) is not true, which is why he was not appointed prime minister after GE15 in November 2022, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said there was an overlap where several Members of Parliament (MPs) signed SDs two or three times, meaning Muhyiddin did not have enough support to form the government.
"When the situation was unclear, Muhyiddin claimed to have 115, while I claimed to have 112. But some people signed once, twice, three times. Some parties had differing opinions.
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"Therefore, His Majesty (the Yang di-Pertuan Agong) had to revisit and review the situation to reassure himself.
"That is why the Federal Constitution states that (the PM is appointed) according to His Majesty’s view after examining the situation.
"Tuanku then convened a meeting of the Conference of Rulers to discuss the matter," he told reporters after having lunch in Kg Sungai Penchala here on Friday (Aug 23).
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, said the Conference of Rulers and the Attorney General at that time, Tan Sri Idrus Harun, also disputed the number of SDs.
"From what I understand, the Rulers and the AG, who was appointed by Muhyiddin, found the numbers questionable, so it was left to the discretion of the King," Anwar said.
Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin, while campaigning in the Nenggiri by-election recently, claimed that he had 115 SDs after GE15, stating that the number was sufficient for him to become prime minister.
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Muhyiddin also questioned why he was not invited by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to Istana Negara to be appointed.
On Wednesday (Aug 21), Muhyiddin submitted several documents, including the SDs, to the police while giving a statement to assist in investigations regarding his comments that allegedly touched on 3R (royalty, religion and race) issues.
On Thursday (Aug 22), Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that out of the 115 SDs claimed by Muhyiddin, 10 MPs had signed two each – one supporting Perikatan and another supporting Barisan.
Earlier, Anwar spent about half an hour mingling and having lunch with area residents at the Warung Gertak Merah Bawah Jambatan stall before performing Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Hidayah Kg Sungai Penchala. – Bernama
