Any attempt to block Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from having an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the pleasure of His Majesty is undemocratic and crossing the line, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) warned today.
In a statement, party information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said such an attempt would go against the wishes of the Agong.
He said His Majesty had opened the door to the people and thoroughly looked into all issues related to the Constitution in appointing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the 8th Prime Minister following February’s political impasse.
Shamsul Iskandar was referring to Istana Negara granting Anwar an audience on Sept 22, even though the meeting was postponed due to Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah falling ill and being treated at the National Heart Institute (IJN).
This, he said, was also confirmed by the palace.
He said that with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that many of his party’s MPs are supporting Anwar, it is confirmed that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has lost the support of the majority of Dewan Rakyat MPs to continue serving as Prime Minister.
“Keadilan is very confident that Muhyiddin himself has realised this. This is because even with the full support of Umno MPs previously, he only had a majority of two MPs.”
Shamsul Iskandar further claimed that Muhyiddin’s asking Anwar to prove he has the majority through processes stipulated in the Constitution further reinforces this, as the former had previously dismissed such measures as “formalities”.
“Muhyiddin has lost his majority, so it would be wise for him to retreat with dignity and resign as prime minister, seeing that the support is now for Anwar.”
On how many and who the new supporters are for Keadilan, he said he reserves the right to give the Agong the proof and list of MPs who have expressed their support for Anwar.
“This is a reasonable right that should be respected by all.” – NST