THE Pakatan Harapan presidential council has rejected Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s “insincere” offer to work together and added he should just resign after admitting he has lost the majority.

In a statement, the PH council said it was of the view that the prime minister’s address to the nation today was an open admission on his part that he no longer commands a majority in Parliament.

It said in line with the Article 43(4) of the federal constitution the prime minister must resign, if he no longer commands a majority in Parliament.

“This is the first time in Malaysia’s history that a prime minister has admitted that he has lost the support of the majority and has clearly asked the support of the opposition.

“This is also the first time where a prime minister who has lost his legitimacy is publicly offering bribes in a live telecast to the nation,” it said in a statement tonight.

This evening, Muhyiddin outlined an offer to opposition MPs today to get bipartisan support to stay in power and steer the country out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said he will not resign but that his cabinet had agreed that negotiations will be held with leaders of parties “outside Perikatan Nasional” ahead of a confidence vote to test his majority in Parliament next month.

PH, in its statement, said Muhyiddin had negated the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong when he said “not a single MP has shown he had majority support.”

It said this was for the king to determine as provided under Article 43(2)(a) of the federal constitution to determine who commands the majority in Parliament and appoint him as the prime minister. 

“This being the case PH rejects the insincere offers made by Muhyiddin, which should have been made much earlier and not at the tail end of his political career.

“The focus now should be on saving the people, not saving his political career,” it said in the statement.

PH said it was confident it would be able to provide a plan of action that will help the country overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, revive the economy and save people’s jobs.

The joint statement was issued by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu. – August 13, 2021.