MUHYIDDIN Yassin remains the prime minister by law until and unless another MP can prove he or she has majority support of the Dewan Rakyat, Attorney-General Idrus Harun said.

“As of now, the government does not have any clear evidence to show that Muhyiddin has lost the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat members.

“Based on Article 43(2)(1) of the federal constitution, the lawmaker who has the confidence of the majority of Dewan Rakyat members is determined by the lawmakers themselves and not through a statement of any political party or leader of any political party.

“As such, in the eyes of the law, the prime minister and cabinet are still empowered as the executive of the federation,” Idrus said in a statement.

Last night, the Umno Supreme Council demanded Muhyiddin’s resignation, after a meeting that lasted four hours.

The council also decided that Umno will withdraw its support for Muhyiddin as prime minister immediately, to be replaced with an interim prime minister until the Covid-19 pandemic is brought under control, after which a general election must be held.

Reporters asked the Prime Minister’s Office earlier today asked if a response would be forthcoming, but there has been no official comment.

This morning, Idrus’s car was among several vehicles seen at Muhyiddin’s residence at Bukit Damansara, where Muhyiddin also met with several ministers.

Umno has 38 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat and if all abide with the Supreme Council’s decision, Muhyiddin would lose his majority in Parliament. 

However, the council’s decision to withdraw support for Muhyiddin is said to have further divided the party, which has factions both for and against continued co-operation with Muhyiddin and Perikatan Nasional.

In the cabinet, Umno has nine MPs who are ministers and eight who are deputy ministers. – July 8, 2021.