Royal endeavour to break deadlock
King summons Barisan Nasional MPs a er proposed PN-PH unity government rejected
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday proposed the creation of a unity government in the search for the 10th prime minister, but Perikatan Nasional (PN) had refused to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
This was revealed by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin a er he and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah late yesterday a ernoon.
The King had summoned the leaders a er he found that not a single Member of Parliament had obtained a simple majority to be elected prime minister under the Federal Constitution when a deadline for the coalitions to show their support had expired.
Muhyiddin told reporters that he had rejected the Agong’s proposal as PN had long decided not to work with PH, adding that he was disappointed that his claim of having the support of 115 MPs was dismissed.
“We have discussed the ma er earlier, we will not cooperate with PH, that is our party’s position, from then until now. We did not agree (on working with PH).
“Just now, I was asked to sign the documents that we agreed on, we signed but did not agree (with the section). We have all agreed that for some reason we can’t be with PH, it’s common knowledge,” he said in a Malay Mail report.
Muhyiddin, who le Istana Negara earlier than Anwar, said that the 115 statutory declarations (SD) allegedly in support of him were presented to Royal Private Secretary Datuk Nazim Mohd Alim.
“But when I had the audience (with Agong) earlier, someone said that this is not enough, I don’t know what the reasons are behind that, but the proof is here,” he said as he held a pile of documents.
“A er that, because it was said that we don’t have enough numbers, Agong suggested that we cooperate with PH to form a unity government,” he added.
Separately, Anwar told reporters gathered outside Istana Negara a er his audience with the King that he was confident that he would be able to secure a simple majority in time to form the federal government.
“His Majesty expressed his desire to form a strong government that is more inclusive in terms of race, religion, or region, to be able to allow the government to focus on solving the problems of the people and to resuscitate our economy.
“I expressed my utmost gratitude to His Majesty and said we will do our best and digest and devise and would wait for the final decision which is of course the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.
He dismissed the possibility of a minority government, saying there “was no question about it”.
In an apparent bid to break the deadlock, the Agong has scheduled audiences with all 30 Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs today.
In a statement last night, Royal Comptroller of Istana Negara Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the Agong will meet the BN MPs one by one from 10.30am today.
“This process is intended so that His Majesty the King AlSultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah can make a decision to appoint a member of the Dewan Rakyat whom His Majesty in his opinion may have the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Representatives as prime minister as provided under Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution,” said the statement.
According to Ahmad Fadil, His Majesty called on the public to be patient and calm until the process of forming a new government and the appointment of the future 10th prime minister of Malaysia is completed.
His Majesty also called on the public to pray that the process runs smoothly for the sake of the country.
Earlier yesterday, Barisan Nasional, which was believed to have been in negotiations with PH to form the new government on Monday, decided that it would not support any coalition to form the new government.
Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said announced on Twi er: “BN does not support Pakatan Harapan (PH) or (PN). As of now, BN has agreed to stay as the opposition.”
This comes a er BN MPs held a meeting at Umno headquarters in Menara Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur to decide on the coalition’s next move.
PH won 82 seats in the concluded 15th general election, while PN has 73.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak had previously stated that it would work with PN, BN and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah to form the next government with Muhyiddin as prime minister.