With a total of 56 MPs, parliamentarians from Sabah and Sarawak are poised to play a “kingmaker” role as the Pakatan Harapan government collapses.
A Harapan source claimed that the presence of PAS in any proposed new coalition is a possible stumbling block and that the two groups of MPs have stated their terms already.
“Shafie Apdal wants no Bersatu involvement in Sabah which is an easier bargain for Anwar to achieve.
“What may be tougher to negotiate is that Gabungan Parti Sarawak wants the deputy prime minister’s seat and more rights under the MA63 agreement.
“They will also be pushing for a zero-opposition scenario in Sarawak,” said the source.
GPS has 18 MPs, while Shafie’s Warisan and allies Upko have 10 MPs. This number could tip the scale in either side.
Today however GPS’ James Masing, who heads Parti Rakyat Sarawak said when asked about cooperation with PAS, said: “I think we are more comfortable with PAS than with DAP’s arrogance.”
It was also reported that demands by Umno were “too much”.
It is understood that among others, Umno leaders had wanted party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as well as Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to be appointed to the top positions of the planned new coalition.
The requests were immediately rejected.
Reportedly, Umno also proposed former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein to be made a deputy prime minister.
The name of Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan was also mentioned to be part of a new Cabinet.
Today, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad submitted his resignation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and his Bersatu party, which has 26 MPs, pulled out of the coalition.
Mahathir has also now resigned as Bersatu chairperson.
His move was followed by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali leading 10 MPs out of the party.
The MPs who have quit with Azmin are as follow:
- Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang)
- Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota)
- Baru Bian (Selangau)
- Kamaruddin Jaffar (Bandar Tun Razak)
- Mansor Othman (Nibong Tebal)
- Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat)
- Edmund Santhara Kumar (Segamat)
- Ali Biju (Saratok)
- Willie Mongin (Puncak Borneo)
- Jonathan Yasin (Ranau)