Malaysian King will decide on Anwar claim, says Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will leave it to the country's king to decide on who has the majority support to be prime minister.

“I don’t want to comment on what Anwar (Ibrahim) did at the palace.

“As far as I’m concerned, I leave it to the best judgment of the Agong (king),” said the 73-year-old in his second press conference since becoming prime minister on March 1.

The press conference was done virtually as Mr Muhyiddin is under quarantine after attending a National Security Council meeting on October 3 with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri who later tested positive for Covid-19.

“The Agong, is the most learned and qualified person and has his own way of deciding as provided by the federal constitution.

“Whatever decision that is made will be in accordance with the constitution. My concerns and interests are not about that,” said Mr Muhyiddin at his official residence in Putrajaya.

He said his priorities as prime minister are on how to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and the economy.

“When he (Anwar) was at Istana Negara, I was here videoconferencing with the National Security Council about Covid-19.

“My interest is about managing Covid-19 and the economy,” said Mr Muhyiddin.

The Bersatu president was commenting on Mr Anwar’s audience with the king this morning.

According to Mr Anwar, he had demonstrated to King Al-Sultan Abdullah that he has sufficient support to be prime minister.

“There are more than 120 MPs (Members of Parliament). The king will digest the list and he will be calling up party leaders in two to three days time.”

“The names of the MPs will be published later. Therefore, I reiterate that Muhyiddin’s government has fallen,” said the PKR president and Pakatan Harapan chairman.

But shortly after Mr Anwar’s press conference at 2.30pm, the palace issued a statement to say that although Mr Anwar had met King Abdullah, he did not present a list of MPs supporting him.

At the last count, Mr Muhyiddin’s government is supported by 113 MPs from Perikatan Nasional (50), Barisan Nasional (43), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (18), Parti Bersatu Sabah (1) and one independent, while Anwar is backed by PH, which has 91 lawmakers in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat.

The 18 MPs from Parti Warisan Sabah (8), Pejuang (5), PSB (2), Upko (1), and 2 independents have not stated their positions. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT