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Malaysia Prime Minister in power despite losing ally's support: attorney general
The United Malays National Organization, the largest party in the National Alliance ruling coalition, plunged the country into another round of political uncertainty when it announced early Thursday morning, after a marathon meeting of its top leadership, it was ending its backing for Muhyiddin.
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Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin smiles during a session of the lower house of parliament, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia July 13, 2020. (Reuters/Lim Huey Teng)
M
uhyiddin Yassin remains Malaysia's prime minister despite a key coalition partner withdrawing its support for him, Attorney General Idrus Harun said in a statement Thursday.
The United Malays National Organization, the largest party in the National Alliance ruling coalition, plunged the country into another round of political uncertainty when it announced early Thursday morning, after a marathon meeting of its top leadership, it was ending its backing for Muhyiddin.
UMNO demanded that Muhyiddin resign due to his failure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and lift the economy.
Amid speculation that the 17-month-old government is on the brink of collapse, Idrus maintained that no political party could determine Muhyiddin's position.
Read also: Key Malaysian party withdraws support for embattled PM
Citing the Constitution, he said only lawmakers from the lower house of parliament can determine the fate of the leadership.
"At this moment, the government does not have clear facts to show that the prime minister does not command the confidence of the majority of the House of Representatives members of parliament," Idrus said.
"Thus, legally, the prime minister and the current Cabinet remain intact to continue exercising executive power," he added.
Although UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced the party's decision to oust Muhyiddin, UMNO lawmakers have remained silent so far.
Local media reports say the majority of the party's 38 lawmakers continue to support Muhyiddin.
But Muhyiddin commands only a slim majority in the 222-seat House of Representatives.
His fate, however, could be tested soon when parliament reconvenes on July 26.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the current political limbo is not helping the country deal with the pandemic effectively.
"At this moment, the government is in a state of flux, not certain whether it has the majority," he said in a virtual press conference. "We find that this government has not been able to deal with any problems."
Despite his criticism of the government and previous attempts to push for a vote of no-confidence against Muhyiddin in previous parliament meetings, Mahathir said he would not introduce such a motion this time.
Read also: UMNO withdraws support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin
"We are only interested in proposing that there should be a special body known as the National Recovery Council to deal with the current COVID-19 problems, the number of deaths, suicides etc., which also affects the economy and social security," he said.
"Now is not the time to play politics. Now is the time to help people who are facing many problems," he added.
