PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) will not be joining Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government as it wants to play the role of an effective opposition, Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

The PN chairman said this move was taken to strengthen the democracy in the country and to play the check-and-balance role for the government in parliament.

“PN will play its role as a capable opposition to represent the people’s voices in parliament and to ensure the government remains integrity and corruption free,” he said in a statement. 

The Bersatu president however said the pact is ready to forge other forms of cooperation with the government to ensure political stability. 

He also thanked Anwar for making the offer for PN to join his government. 

PN consists of Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan.

Earlier, PAS – a major winner in the general election – said it would consider Anwar’s offer to join his unity government. 

In a statement, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said his party will discuss it with the party’s PN allies in the near future. 

“We will also survey the views of the public, who gave encouraging support to PAS and PN in the general election.” 

Anwar, 75, was sworn in yesterday before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, bringing an end to the stalemate that ensued after there was no clear winner following Saturday’s elections. 

Today, Anwar said his government has the support of 30 Barisan Nasional MPs as well as 23 from Gabungan Parti Sarawak, six from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, three from Warisan, and one from Parti Bangsa Malaysia. 

Along with Pakatan Harapan, the support of these lawmakers gives Anwar a “convincing” majority of 145. – November 25, 2022.