IT was a consensual decision to appoint Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister and it is our responsibility now to give him the full support, said former Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa.

The Barisan Nasional secretary-general said despite Umno being the largest party in the Perikatan Nasional, it did not make demands after Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down as prime minister in February.

“The decision was based on understanding. We agreed for Dr Mahathir to be replaced by Muhyiddin.

“Although Umno has more seats, it did not ask (for the PM’s post) because it was through the coalition that we overthrew the previous government,” Annuar, who is also Federal Territories minister, told Insight Talk.

A person appointed as the prime minister must command the support of the majority even if he comes from the smallest party within a coalition, he said, citing the example of former prime minister Dr Mahathir.

Annuar said Dr Mahathir was made prime minister after the 14th general election through consensus even though his party then, Bersatu, did not have the majority of seats in the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

The Ketereh MP was speaking to Insight Talk ahead of the crucial Budget 2021 vote tomorrow.

“When we elect a person to be the prime minister, it is our responsibility to give our full support to the latter.

“Not just elect, then bring him down. If we bring him down, then things will be unstable and we will be impacted, too, as we’re in the coalition as well.

“So, this is what we call collective responsibility. Numbers do not matter anymore because there is trust,” Annuar said.

There has been heated debate since Budget 2021 was tabled on November 6 by the PN government, which enjoys only a slim majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

Lawmakers from both sides of the floor have threatened not to support the Supply Bill unless a number of amendments are made, such as an extended loan moratorium and increased withdrawals from the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong advised MPs to unite to ensure that Budget 2021 is passed so that the battle against Covid-19 and the economic fallout from the pandemic can be dealt with.

Muhyiddin is in danger of losing the government if the bill is not passed.

Annuar did not rule out the possibility of having a future prime minister candidate from Umno but said his aim now is to build the party and gain the support of the people.

“It is important for us to build Umno to become a strong party, a party that has the support of the people.

“If we get support from the people, then the number of seats we win will be more because we had worked with many other parties.  

“Then when the time comes and if there is a suitable person for the position (of prime minister), I am sure Umno will have a candidate.” – November 25, 2020.