Every opposition party and two independent MPs have expressed that they will not back Muhyiddin Yassin to continue on as prime minister.
This has cast doubts on Muhyiddin’s earlier statement today that he still commands majority support in the Dewan Rakyat, despite losing Umno as an ally.
In a joint statement, Pakatan Harapan, along with four other opposition MPs, said Muhyiddin and his cabinet must resign immediately.
“It is impossible for Muhyiddin to enjoy majority support of the MPs have the withdrawal of a group of MPs yesterday,” said the group.
The joint statement was signed by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.
Other signatories are Upko president and Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) member and Selangau MP Baru Bian, PSB member and Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat and independent MP for Simpang Renggam Maszlee Malik.
This bloc consists of 92 MPs.
Similar statements were issued by Warisan, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) respectively today. Between the three parties, they have 13 MPs.
Both Warisan and Pejuang denied allegations that their MPs signed statutory declarations in support of Muhyiddin.
Instead, both parties believe that Muhyiddin should resign immediately.
Meanwhile, Warisan and Muda demanded that Muhyiddin prove his majority immediately instead of during the scheduled Parliament sitting in September.
If the abovementioned 105 MPs are steadfast, their numbers combined with the 11 Umno MPs who revealed themselves as Muhyiddin’s opponents yesterday amount to 116 – which would signal that Muhyiddin no longer commanded majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
Earlier, Syed Saddiq dismissed claims that Muda will support Perikatan.
“We will not sacrifice our principles and self-worth to support the present government,” said the Muar MP.
“We have not and will not form any sort of cooperation with Perikatan Nasional. We remain true to our struggle and we believe that the truth will prevail,” he said.
The four Pejuang MPs will also not support the Perikatan Nasional government nor have they signed statutory declarations in support of Muhyiddin as prime minister.
Pejuang information chief Ulya Aqamah denied speculation that the party was cooperating or negotiating with any quarters to support the Perikatan government.
“Pejuang has never signed any SDs in support of Muhyiddin. The circulation of statements saying otherwise is false and irresponsible,” said Ulya in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 4).
The four Pejuang MPs are Langkawi MP Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Jerlun MP Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Kubang Pasu MP Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah and Sri Gading MP Datuk Shahruddin Md Salleh.
Ulya said the Pejuang MPs would focus on efforts and issues concerning public health and the economy faced by Malaysians at large.
There was speculation that Pejuang was giving its support to Perikatan following a lengthy opinion piece by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz published on Malay Mail Online, where he hoped all political parties would set aside differences to battle Covid-19.
Tengku Zafrul said he will be inviting the Opposition to give their feedback on the National Recovery Plan (NRP) and said that despite Pejuang’s rejection, he would continue to reach out and engage all sides.
According to Warisan, all its MPs are united against Muhyiddin and Perikatan.
It added that any news or reports being spread claiming the contrary are false and malicious.
“Warisan stands firm with the party’s decision not to support the current PN government.
“All (our) Members of Parliament are intact and strongly call for the Prime Minister and his cabinet to resign,” it said.
Warisan also demanded that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin convene Parliament immediately, and not in September, to test his majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
“That will clear the air and there is no need to wait until September. This motion of confidence should be the sole issue debated in this immediate session.
“It should not be mixed up with other issues concerning the 12th Malaysia Plan and the budget that will be discussed in the parliamentary session scheduled in September,” it said.