KUALA LUMPUR – Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor insists there are statutory declarations (SD) ready by MPs to form a new government.
This is despite a denial by the opposition leader’s office yesterday of a viral statement alleging the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has granted an audience to 118 MPs with SDs backing Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Media quoted Sanusi speaking in Padang Terap, Kedah, saying there are enough SDs by MPs to bring down the unity government.
The PN elections chief did not elaborate but instead gave a brief answer when asked by reporters there:
“There are enough, just wait for the time,” he said.
The opposition leader’s office, in a statement last night, said the viral statement was fake news.
The statement was shared widely through WhatsApp and social media platforms.
Apart from claiming support, the fake statement also had PN expressing its gratitude to the Agong for consenting to the opposition’s efforts to “save the country”.
This latest speculation comes on the heels of Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam debunking statements by a blogger claiming that the opposition have 120 SDs after the so-called Langkah Dubai late last month which was meant to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
Langkah Dubai was a purported gathering of opposition figures and government leaders in the United Arab Emirates last month to identify government MPs who could be persuaded to switch sides.
Since being formed after the general election in November 2022, the unity government has been plagued by rumours and claims of moves to topple it.
At the same time, there are also claims that more PN lawmakers will declare support for Anwar’s government. Last year, five Bersatu MPs did just that, without leaving the party.
Anwar currently has the support of two-thirds of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.
MPs who jump to another party will lose their seats under Malaysia’s anti-hopping laws which came into force in October 2022. – January 7, 2024