King’s unity govt offer included rotation of PM post, says Muhyiddin aide


Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Marzuki Mohamad (pictured) says Muhyiddin Yassin was asked to sign the unity government agreement, which included the rotation of the prime minister’s post. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 27, 2022.

THE palace’s offer to Perikatan Nasional (PN) to form a unity government with Pakatan Harapan (PH) – two main winners of the November 19 general election – included rotating the post of the prime minister, a senior Muhyiddin Yassin aide said.

However, PN chairman Muhyiddin rejected the offer as it was against the coalition’s policy, the former prime minister’s private secretary Marzuki Mohamad said.

In a Facebook post to narrate the behind-the-scenes dealings in forming the new government, he said Muhyiddin told the palace that any cooperation with Anwar Ibrahim-led PH was also against the voters’ mandate given to PN.

Marzuki said PAS president Abdul HAdi Awang agreed with Muhyiddin’s decision.

“(At the palace), Muhyiddin was given the proposal of a unity government with Pakatan Harapan. Muhyiddin informed the king that cooperation with PH is against PN’s policy and voters’ mandate,” he said.

“Therefore, he cannot agree to the proposal. This position was also agreed to by Abdul Hadi Awang.

“Before leaving (the palace), Muhyiddin was asked to sign the ‘unity government’ agreement, which included the rotation of the prime minister’s post. He signed but expressed his disapproval.”

He also said Muhyiddin had submitted statutory declarations, which proved that he had the majority.

Marzuki highlighted that Muhyiddin had respected the wish of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and rebutted claims that the Pagoh MP had acted the opposite.

“(At the palace) Muhyiddin was told that Anwar Ibrahim was also at Istana Negara and the plan was that after meeting the king, there would be a discussion between him and Anwar,” he said.

“But since Muhyiddin did not agree to the proposal, he sought permission from the king to leave Istana Negara and return home.

“Hopefully, the accusations that Muhyiddin was being disobedient, arrogant and unwilling to negotiate will not be heard again.

“(And) hopefully, Anwar will be able to carry out his duties with full integrity and responsibility.”

Anwar, 75, was sworn in as the prime minister on Thursday before the king, ending the impasse after the elections failed to produce a clear winner. 

A day before, the king had met Anwar and Muhyiddin to discuss the possibility of forming a unity government. Muhyiddin, however, rejected the suggestion as PN had decided not to work with PH. – November 27, 2022.


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Comments


  • Celaka pn

    Posted 1 year ago by Astann astann · Reply

  • Sudah lah...Its a big sign of relieve to have PH in government over a Merc 600 riding, consuming tax money with almost no gain to rakyat, PN and extreme pseudo religious do nothing, always absent pas, by its side,

    Posted 1 year ago by Alphonz Jayaraman · Reply