‘Calm and collected’ Muhyiddin won’t resign over king’s decree, says report

KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian Prime Minister’s resignation is not on the cards, a source present at a ministers’ huddle last night told The Star, amid speculation of such a development following the Malaysian king’s rejection of his proposal to invoke emergency laws.

Members of the cabinet had grouped at Mr Muhyiddin Yassin’s residence late on Sunday (Oct 25) after the royal decision was announced, causing some to infer the leader was stepping down.

“There were a few of us here at his residence earlier before the palace made the announcement. We stayed on and a few more arrived later to have an informal discussion on what transpired today, as we will have a special cabinet meeting tomorrow too,” the source was quoted as saying on Sunday in the report.

“The Prime Minister is calm and collected. No one is resigning over the decision by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. We will issue a statement on Monday.”

Mr Mustapa Mohamed, Mr Zulkifli Bakri, Mr Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Mr M Saravan, Ms Rina Harun, Ms Noraini Ahmad and Mr Radzi Jidin were among the Malaysian ministers spotted at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s home on Sunday.

Former chief justice Ariffin Zakaria was also present.

After the Malaysian king’s decision was made known on Sunday, the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office had called for and then promptly cancelled a meeting on Monday with the leaders of the state governments.

Mr Muhyiddin issued a statement acknowledging the Malaysian king’s decree, saying the cabinet would further discuss the matter.

The cabinet on Friday voted to seek royal consent for emergency rule to be declared, ostensibly to fight the third wave of Covid-19 infections. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT