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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim must show that he has enough support from Members of Parliament (MPs) to form a new government, while also stating that it remains the “legal prime minister” of the country.
Muhyiddin issued a press release on Wednesday (September 23), hours after Anwar announced that he had obtained a “strong, formidable and convincing majority” of MPs to form a new government. The latter also claimed that the current government led by Muhyiddin has fallen.
Anwar did not reveal the list of MPs who are with him and said he would only do so after the actual hearing.
In his statement, Mr. Muhyiddin said: “This accusation must now be proven by the process and methods determined by the Federal Constitution. Without these processes, Anwar’s declaration is a mere accusation. Until proven otherwise, the Perikatan Nasional’s government is still standing firm and I am the legal prime minister.
“I call on the public to remain calm in this situation. God willing, this issue will be handled properly in accordance with the legal process and the federal constitution,” he added.
In an earlier televised speech, Muhyiddin called on Malaysians to reject the “blind actions” of a small group of politicians who he said are undermining the country’s political stability.
He said that what is crucial now is a stable and strong government backed by the people.
“This is important so that many initiatives to recover the economy and help the people can be implemented effectively by the government,” he said during the speech.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Muhyiddin Yassin, and the leader of the opposition, Anwar Ibrahim. (Photos: Bernama, Reuters / Lim Huey Teng)
The prime minister said: “Therefore, I beg the people to reject the blind actions of certain politicians who intentionally seek to affect the political stability of the nation, as well as the economic recovery plans that are being well implemented at this time.”
“God willing, we can build a better future. I am confident and confident in the strength of our spirit as Malaysians … I hope the Kita Prihatin package will bring you great benefits. ”
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF RM 10 BILLION
Muhyiddin announced that the government will provide financial aid worth RM10 billion (US $ 2.4 billion) to further help Malaysians overcome the pandemic.
The program, he said, includes cash assistance, small business assistance and a wage subsidy scheme.
“No application for the (monetary aid) will be necessary. The government will channel the aid directly to the 10.6 million people who previously benefited from the aid,” he said.
Muhyiddin had previously announced financial aid in three phases (Prihatin, Prihatin PKS Tambahan and Penjana) worth 295 billion ringgit.
He added that at this time, it was important to prioritize people’s plight rather than focus on politics.
READ: More help for Malaysian SMEs as Muhyiddin unveils additional RM10 billion package amid COVID-19
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim reacts during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 23, 2020. REUTERS / LIm Huey Teng
Previously, Anwar had received information to replace Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who became the country’s seventh prime minister after Pakatan Harapan (PH) defeated the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in the 2018 general elections.
Anwar, who was serving a jail term for sodomy, was granted a royal pardon days after PH’s shock victory.
The transition plan from Dr. Mahathir to Mr. Anwar had been a major source of tension at PH, as the former had repeatedly refused to give a concrete timetable for when he would step aside for Mr. Anwar to take over. reins.
Dr. Mahathir resigned abruptly in February and the PH defectors later worked with BN to form the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.
Muhyiddin, president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), became prime minister, after the king met with all the MPs and found that Muhyiddin probably had the support of the majority of the legislators.
Dr. Mahathir and his allies were later withdrawn from Bersatu.
PH politicians have lamented PN’s political coup to seize federal power, although the COVID-19 pandemic and the movement’s control order instituted by the government to stop contagion temporarily lessened much of the political dispute.
The National Organization of United Malays, which always held the post of prime minister before the fall of BN and is now part of the PN government, has repeatedly called for general elections to be held to get rid of the impression of “back door government ”.
Muhyiddin, campaigning in the ongoing Sabah state elections, said that general elections can be called if the state coalition he formed wins the Sabah elections on September 26.
Anwar is currently facing a lawsuit filed to challenge the legality of a royal pardon he received two years ago, with the case management and trial dates set in 2021.
