The Malaysian Insight

THE Umno Supreme Council meets tonight to decide one of two choices: stick with Muhyiddin Yassin and Perikatan Nasional or dump the government that was formed eight months ago.

The meeting began about half an hour ago, and comes after Barisan Nasional leaders and MPs met earlier this morning.

These meetings are to decide how to react to the Yang di-Pertuan Agung denying Putrajaya’s request for emergency powers to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Malaysian Insight has learnt that at least 24 Umno MPs are ready to dump Muhyiddin’s government.

“There are 24 to 26 MPs who are willing to reconsider their support for PN,” said a source.

Dumping PN will lead BN and Umno to another fork in the road: try to force a general election or back PKR president Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

“It all comes down to the ongoing meeting,” said a source.

BN counts 43 MPs among its ranks, with Umno accounting for 39 of them. The rest are from MCA (2), MIC (1) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (1).

Anwar, who leads the Pakatan Harapan pact, has the support of the 91 MPs from PKR, DAP and Amanah.

The support of BN or even just Umno MPs will give Anwar a comfortable majority in the 222-seat Parliament. – October 26, 2020.