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PETALING JAYA (THE STAR / ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Some Umno MPs have begun filing police reports denying claims that they are supporting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysia’s next prime minister.
They have resorted to filing police reports as their names were on the list of MPs who allegedly supported Mr. Anwar despite issuing statements denying any involvement.
The police reports were filed days before Mr. Anwar reportedly sought an audience with the King on Tuesday (October 13).
Arau’s deputy, Shahidan Kassim, had ordered his aide to file a police report on his behalf, as he was quarantined at his home.
“I am surprised that my name is on the list of MPs who allegedly support Anwar as no one had called or approached me,” he said when contacted on Saturday (October 10).
Datuk Seri Shahidan said he had no choice but to file a police report as his name was on the list circulating on social media.
“I asked my assistant to file a police report on my behalf recently, as I voluntarily underwent a lengthy self-quarantine while awaiting the third Covid-19 test result, although the first two tests came back negative,” he said.
Shahidan said he was a party man and would only follow the decision of his party.
“My party is Barisan Nasional, Muafakat Nasional and currently Perikatan Nasional, as Umno MPs occupy cabinet positions. If Umno no longer supported Perikatan, his MPs would not hold cabinet posts,” he said.
Shahidan said it was irresponsible for Anwar to use the media to claim that he had a majority to form a new government.
“If he had the numbers, he should prove it in Parliament or present it to Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Why make a precautionary announcement in the media, triggering the perception of political instability? Political instability could negatively affect investor confidence,” he said.
Shahidan said Malaysia could not afford political instability as the Covid-19 pandemic had led to economic uncertainties around the world.
Jerantut MP Ahmad Nazlan Idris had also filed a police report denying that he had endorsed any legal statements supporting Anwar as the next prime minister.
Datuk Ahmad Nazlan said that neither Mr. Anwar nor his representative had approached him to discuss the matter.
“The claims that I support Anwar are not true,” he said.
Of the list of 121 MPs who allegedly support Mr Anwar, 22 are from Umno.
However, 15 Umno MPs have openly denied their support for forming a new government.
Among Umno MPs who have issued outright denials are Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (Padang Terap), Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (Putrajaya), Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (Besut), Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Tan Pasir Salak), Sri Noh Ohmar (Tanjong Karang) and Datuk Ahmad Maslan (Pontian).
Other Umno MPs who have denied their support for Mr. Anwar are Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan), Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (Machang), Datuk Mohd Nizar Zakaria (Parit), Datuk Hasbullah Osman (Gerik), Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin (Rompin), Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands) and Datuk Mohamad Alamin (Kimanis).
THE POSSIBLE MOVEMENTS OF THE KING
The Malaysian king will play a key role in what will happen after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim claimed he had majority support to form a government.
Datuk Seri Anwar said he has an audience on Tuesday with the monarch, Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin, to prove his claim.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has maintained that he remains the legitimate leader.
Here are some ways the King could decide to resolve the deadlock:
1. CALL AN ELECTION
The King has the power to dissolve Parliament, after which an election must be held within 60 days.
Lawmakers from the ruling and opposition coalitions have called for snap elections to resolve the political uncertainty once and for all, as Tan Sri Muhyiddin took office in March following the collapse of a government that took power after the general election of 2018. Muhyiddin could also call elections, which he said he could do if his alliance wins the Sabah state elections. His Gabungan Rakyat Sabah won the Sabah polls on September 26.
2. SEEK VOTE OF NO TRUST
The monarch could request the president of the Lower House to advance the next parliamentary session, currently scheduled for November 2, to carry out a vote of no confidence earlier.
The opposition has been planning to challenge Muhyiddin’s support in Parliament for months, but the president has repeatedly placed the motion at the bottom of the agenda.
In July, Muhyiddin showed that he had a slim majority in Parliament when he replaced the president.
3. APPOINT PRIME MINISTER
After former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad abruptly resigned in February, the king spent days talking to each of the 222 lawmakers to find out who he supports, leading to Muhyiddin’s appointment.
This time, there is no leadership vacuum, so the monarch may need to urge the current prime minister to resign if Anwar has the backing of a majority of lawmakers in Parliament.
BLOOMBERG
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