The Malaysian Insight

PAKATAN Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar Ibrahim has claimed that the numbers produced by Perikatan Nasional (PN) cannot be correct as negotiations are ongoing. 

“Not true. I’m saying it clearly,” said Anwar, who seemed confident when asked by reporters.  

Earlier, during a press conference, the PKR president also said PN has not produced proof for the claim.  

“That is their claim,” he briefly said.  

Earlier, PN’s Hamzah Zainudin said the coalition has submitted more than 112 statutory declarations (SDs) from lawmakers to support Muhyiddin Yassin’s appointment as prime minister.  

The PN secretary-general said the number of SDs was more than the required 112 needed under the Federal Constitution to appoint a prime minister.

PN won 73 seats in Saturday’s general election and needs to form alliances with other pacts to set up a new government. 

PH, which won 82 seats, is also undertaking a similar move. 

PH and Barisan Nasional, which has 30 seats, held talks of working together with a final outcome yet to be officially made known. 

When asked if the next 24 hours will be crucial, Anwar deflected by saying it has always been “crucial for the people”. 

He inferred that forming a partnership with BN would help ease the burden of the people. 

“No food, the price of milk powder has gone up. There is no chicken stock, no eggs. 

“So it will be crucial for the people. Remember that,” he said. 

Earlier, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had asked the Dewan Rakyat speaker, who is collating the sworn declarations, for more time.

He said BN needed more time to negotiate with other parties.

Royal Comptroller Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the palace has agreed to extended the deadline for any coalition to form the federal government and nominate a prime minister to 2pm tomorrow.

He said the decision was made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong following a request from political parties, which the palace received today. – November 21, 2022.