PARLIAMENT should convene as soon as possible to test Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s majority, said Pejuang chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister said that Muhyiddin has lost his majority and legitimacy, and should not wait until September to put the matter to a vote in Parliament.
 
“What we believe is that, right now, he has no majority. So how can he remain the prime minister?

“We know eight Umno members have pulled their support, so he has no majority. By right, he should have a parliamentary meeting now so we can decide once and for all if he has a majority,” he said at a virtual press conference held on Zoom after the party’s executive council meeting.

The Langkawi lawmaker said Covid-19 should not be a hindrance to having a parliamentary sitting as a hybrid session can be held.

When asked who will take over from Muhyiddin in the event he fails to gain majority support, Dr Mahathir said it was not up to an individual or party to decide.

“Who will replace him is a different question and for parliament to decide.
 
“It depends on the majority, if the majority agrees on anyone, we have to accept. It’s not a matter of choosing, the person with majority support of parliament will be prime minister,” he said.

In the event that there is an impasse, he said it will be up to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to determine the next step.

“Under normal circumstances, we will have a general election. Under these unusual circumstances, it will be up to the king to decide, just like the Agong appointed me the interim prime minister when Pakatan Harapan collapsed,” he said.

On Wednesday, Umno withdrew support for Muhyiddin and the Perikatan National government. The withdrawal of Umno’s support casts doubts on Muhyiddin’s majority in Parliament.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin announced that he will face a motion of confidence in parliament in September.

Opposition parties have demanded that a sitting be held no sooner than August 8, 2021. – August 5, 2021.