Malaysian king will study documents and consult party leaders, says Anwar amid attempt to form new government

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday (October 13) that the king will study the relevant documents he has submitted on the members of parliament (MPs) that support his attempt to form a new government, while consulting the leaders of various political parties. .

At a press conference after an audience with King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in the Istana Negara, Mr. Anwar said: “With these documents, it is very clear that we have recorded a formidable and compelling majority among parliamentarians.

“I would appeal to Malaysians to exercise patience, wisdom and allow the king to digest, decide based on the spirit of the Constitution and the discretion of His Highness.”

Anwar also stressed that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has lost his parliamentary majority and that it would be appropriate for him to resign.

He added that his audience with the king was not one of victory or defeat, but of building a country that is “progressive and fair” to overcome COVID-19 and boost the economy.

Mr. Anwar added that he was aware of some concerns expressed that the list of MPs supporting him were mostly bumiputera Muslim Malays.

Addressing this, Mr. Anwar said: “Let me reiterate and categorically assure Malaysians in general: this is Malaysia and we have to grant rights to every citizen of this country.”

READ: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim leaves Istana Negara after audience with the king

In response to questions from journalists, Anwar also confirmed that he has more than 120 MPs who support his candidacy.

He added that his government will be “an inclusive government” and that there was no “political or personal vendetta” against anyone.

However, he maintained that no “agreements” have been made with any individual.

“It is very important to appreciate that I have already made it very clear that we are committed to institutional reform, judicial independence and the rule of law. Therefore, there is no question of reaching agreements with individuals, as some parties allege, that is completely irrelevant irresponsible, “said Mr. Anwar.

However, Istana Negara issued a statement on Tuesday stating that while Anwar had presented the number of MPs who he claimed support him, he did not present a list of names to the king.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Democratic Action Party, Lim Guan Eng, also confirmed that he was summoned to the palace to meet with the king.

Anwar’s meeting with the king came nearly three weeks after he announced on September 23 that he has a “strong, formidable and convincing majority” of deputies to oust Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

His scheduled hearing with the king a day earlier had to be postponed as the latter was hospitalized for food poisoning. The king was later discharged on October 2.

The king plays a mainly ceremonial role in Malaysia, but could appoint a prime minister who, in his opinion, is likely to have a majority in parliament. It could also dissolve parliament and trigger elections on the advice of the prime minister.

Anwar had said he had the support of nearly two-thirds of the 222 lawmakers in parliament, without giving actual figures or revealing who had pledged their support.

Muhyiddin, whose seven-month coalition has survived with a slim majority, has questioned Anwar’s claims and asked him to prove his majority.

A list of 121 MPs who allegedly endorsed Anwar was widely distributed, leading to a police investigation following the submission of six police reports.

Police said an investigation was launched under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code into “the spread of rumors that may cause fear and alarm to the public” and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act of 1998 by the exchange of false and offensive information. or threatening content.

The police have summoned Mr Anwar to give a statement.