The Malaysian Insight

PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) MPs have given the mandate to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin to resolve the impasse over the lack of a prime minister candidate, party lawmaker Kamarudin Jaffar said.

“Our stand is to give the mandate to the president to make the best decision for the country’s future.

“In short, if it is necessary for statutory declarations to be used, we will use them, or Muhyiddin may inform the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of our stand if the king asks for it,” the Bandar Tun Razak MP told reporters in Kuala Lumpur this evening.

Kamarudin had just left a meeting with other PN MPs following Muhyiddin’s resignation as prime minister. The Pagoh MP held a live telecast to inform the nation of his resignation at 2pm.

There is still no clear successor and negotiations among parties are ongoing to name a candidate who can command majority support. 

PN comprises Bersatu, PAS and Gabungan Parti Sarawak and smaller east Malaysian parties.

Muhyiddin lost his parliamentary majority and had to resign after 15 Umno MPs pulled their support. Umno was in his government but not with the PN coalition.

Kamarudin said almost all Bersatu MPs were present today, and so were a few lawmakers from other PN parties.

He said today’s meeting was chaired by Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

Others seen leaving the meeting were Bersatu vice-president Mohd Radzi Jidin and youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

Among the Bersatu MPs present were Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof (Alor Gajah), Noor Azmi Ghazali (Bagan Serai), Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Mohd Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat), Edmund Santara Kumar (Segamat), Mansor Othman (Nibong Tebal) and Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang).

Also spotted were Shabudin Yahaya (Tasek Gelugor) and Xavier Jayakumar (Kuala Langat).

MPs from Sabah and Sarawak were STAR president Jeffery Kitingan (Tambunan), Ali Biju (Saratok), Willy Mongin (Puncak Borneo) and independent lawmaker Larry Sng (Julau).

Sabah Progressive Party president Yong Teck Lee was also present. – August 16, 2021.