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By Joseph Sipalan and A. Ananthalakshmi
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is in talks about a possible cabinet shakeup in an attempt to appease a key ally who has threatened to gain support for the ruling coalition, three sources said Monday.
Muhyiddin faces a prime ministerial challenge from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who last week met with the King of Malaysia in an attempt to show he has the majority support of lawmakers, including government traffickers, to form a new government.
Since then, the prime minister has entered into further discussions with the United Malaysia National Organization (UMNO), the largest party in his coalition, to negotiate new terms that could include more prominent cabinet posts for the party, sources close to the party said. government and the UMNO.
A breakthrough in the talks could cripple Anwar’s candidacy for prime minister, but also leave Muhyiddin hanging by a two-seat majority in the 222-seat parliament as he grapples with an economy hit by coronavirus and a new surge in infections.
“UMNO is negotiating and it shows that they are not ready to leave the coalition,” said a source.
Another UMNO source said the party wants to have more voice in deciding on issues such as who is appointed to the cabinet and what portfolios they will hold.
The sources asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The two parties are also discussing which districts would be contested in a general election, although the polls are not imminent, two of the sources said.
Elections won’t be held until 2023, but some in the government have lobbied for the first elections to be held for a stronger mandate.
Muhyiddin’s office and UMNO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
ANWAR OFFER
The UMNO lost a 2018 election in its first defeat since independence more than 60 years ago, amid popular anger over alleged rampant corruption.
But he returned to power in March when he allied with Muhyiddin after the collapse of the administration of veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad.
Since then, UMNO members have refused to play a supporting role in Muhyiddin’s smaller Bersatu party, coalition sources said.
There has been much speculation that UMNO lawmakers facing corruption charges were behind Anwar’s run for president.
On Sunday, the UMNO denied that its president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and former leader Najib Razak had signed a letter withdrawing support for Muhyiddin and supporting Anwar.
Najib was found guilty in July and sentenced to 12 years in jail. He appealed the verdict and is free on bail, but faces three other corruption trials. Zahid is also in the middle of a graft test.
Anwar dismissed the rumors last week as “irrelevant and irresponsible,” and said there was no room to strike deals with individuals for support.
(Report by Joseph Sipalan and A. Ananthalakshmi; edited by Giles Elgood)
