Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has made it clear that PN will not cooperate with Pakatan Harapan.
Muhyiddin said he had submitted statutory declarations of 115 Members of Parliament to Istana Negara yesterday.
However, he said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong informed him today that no party has managed to secure a majority and suggested PN cooperate with PH to form the government.
Muhyiddin said he was informed of this during his audience with the King at Istana Negara at 4.30pm today.
“I would like to clarify that we have submitted these documents to Istana Negara yesterday which is proof that we, PN along with other parties, have the support of 115 MPs through the SDs.
“This is proof that we have more than the 112-majority needed in the constitution and so we are confident that we can form the government.
“But, when I had the audience (with the King), I was told (the number) is not enough. I don’t know the reasons for that but the proof is here.
“His Majesty suggested we cooperate with PH to form a unity government but as we have discussed this many times, we will not cooperate with PH,” he said in a press conference at his house after the royal audience today.
During his audience with the king, said Muhyiddin, Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang was present at Istana Negara.
He said PN would not change its stance on working with PH, adding that the entire nation is already aware of the reason.”I was asked to sign a document to state if we agree (to cooperate with PH). I signed the paper but I wrote at the top that we disagree (to work with PH).
“Everyone knows why we can’t cooperate with PH. This is our stance before and it is still now. We will not work with PH,” Muhyiddin added.
Muhyiddin Prematurely Included GPS, Some BN Numbers For His 115 SDs
The statutory declarations (SD) sent to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong by Muhyiddin Yassin had also included Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), sources claimed.
According to insiders privy to the matter, Muhyiddin did this despite GPS’ statement today that the coalition would leave matters regarding the formation of a new government to the king’s discretion.
They said this was the reason why Muhyiddin was left confused after his audience with the King at 4.30pm today when the monarch said the Pagoh MP did not have the majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
One source said although Muhyiddin had submitted the SDs yesterday and GPS had only emerged with its statement today, it was widely understood that the deadline to submit such a document to Istana Negara was at 2pm today.
BN MPs To Sit In Two Meetings Tonight Before Audience With Agong Tomorrow
Barisan Nasional (BN) is scheduled to have a separate meeting tonight ahead of the royal audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to form the federal government.
The meeting will be held between the Umno Supreme Council members, followed by a meeting with its members of parliaments (MPs) at its headquarters in Menara Dato Onn.
Speaking to reporters, BN treasurer, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the coalition members have not finalised any decision on who they will support to form the federal government.
“We will discuss it tonight, so wait until after the meeting.
When asked whether he would give his support to Perikatan Nasional’s chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the 10th prime minister, he briefly said: “Any decision to form a coalition government will be done collectively.”
Among those present were MCA president, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong; Jelebu MP, Datuk Jalaluddin Alias; Tanjung Piai MP, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah deputy president, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and Cameron Highlands MP, Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor, a leading daily reported.
Earlier, Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, in a statement, said the King will meet the 30 MPs individually starting at 10.30am.
