AMANAH heads into a weekend retreat today to strategise and strengthen the party ahead of possible polls as Muhyiddin Yassin struggles to hold on to federal power, said party insiders.

Three party leaders told The Malaysian Insight that parliamentary support for Muhyiddin looks weak and he could call for the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat soon.

The leaders said Amanah will discuss, among others, the party’s stance if the 15th general election (GE15) is called soon.

“This retreat will discuss Amanah and PH’s (Pakatan Harapan) roles in facing the 15th general election.

“Leaving PH, however, is not our choice,” said a senior Amanah leader, on condition of anonymity.

Amanah, DAP and PKR make up Pakatan Harapan.

Another Amanah leader confirmed there will be discussions this weekend but declined to comment, while another said the discussions will be held behind closed doors.

The Malaysian Insight learnt there has been unease among some Amanah leaders and members when PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim opened talks with Umno to form a new government to topple the Muhyiddin-led Perikatan Nasional pact.

The unease is the main discussion at Amanah’s weekend retreat, a source said.

The source added that Amanah was involved in Anwar’s plot to take power in September.

“He did not discuss this directly with us,” the source said.

“And although we were disappointed, we allowed him to carry on with his plans.

“DAP, which is also in PH, was also not informed about the negotiations,” the source added.

Anwar, who is also PKR president, announced in late September that he had “strong and convincing” support to form a new government to replace the Muhyiddin-led PN government.

Anwar appeared before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on October 13 to present evidence that he had support to form a government.

After the meeting, Istana Negara released a statement saying Anwar did not provide a list of MPs who supported him, but merely stated a number. 

In the same week, a letter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong signed by Umno president and Bagan Datuk MP Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Barisan Nasional adviser and Umno Pekan MP Najib Razak went viral.

The letter stated that the two of them and a number of Umno MPs have withdrawn support from Muhyiddin and have backed Anwar as prime minister.

Umno, however, denied issuing the letter.

After two Umno Supreme Council meetings, Zahid announced that Umno will continue to support Muhyiddin’s leadership in the Perikatan Nasional government.

The announcement came after the King rejected the cabinet’s suggestion for a declaration of emergency to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Muhyiddin’s proposal for an emergency was heavily criticised, with various parties saying it was a ploy to continue as prime minister despite losing majority support in Parliament. – November 14, 2020.