ELECTORAL reform coalition Bersih 2.0 has warned of continuing political instability until September when Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will undergo a test of his majority support in Parliament.

Stressing that the embattled leader should call for an emergency sitting of Parliament immediately to prove his support, Bersih predicted that parties will begin vying for support for potential prime ministerial candidates by using unethical tactics.

“A delay would prolong the political instability with parties vying for support from MPs through promises of lucrative appointments to government-linked companies (GLC) or even cabinet positions, or the use of enforcement bodies like the MACC, IRB, PDRM and AGC to investigate and bring charges to those who do not align themselves with the government.

“Such tactics have been witnessed since the Sheraton Move that installed the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government,” Bersih said in a statement today.

Muhyiddin, in a special live telecast, announced that a motion of confidence would be tabled for him to prove his majority in the Dewan Rakyat in September.

He will not resign now despite Umno’s claims that it had enough MPs who have pulled their support for the prime minister and his government to cause its collapse.

However, Muhyiddin said he knew that eight Umno MPs had withdrawn their support for him in letters to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

Bersih said since the Pagoh MP had admitted this, it is “inconceivable that he still commands majority support unless he already or plans to cause the defection of more MPs from the opposition”.

“Such political scheming must not be allowed to take place.”

Youth-based political party Muda also questioned why Muhyiddin had to wait until September, stressing that his support as prime minister was an urgent matter that should be voted on immediately.

“There is no valid reason to delay the Parliament sitting until September. Muda is of the view that the PN government has already failed and should step down,” a statement by Muda’s political bureau said.

Former prime minister Najib Razak also said earlier that Muhyiddin should not wait till September to test his majority.

“He says he believes he has majority support…Why not do it now?” Najib said.

There are 220 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat and Muhyiddin’s government is said to have the support of 115.

If eight MPs are removed, he would have the support of 107 lawmakers against 113. – August 4, 2021.