BARISAN Nasional (BN) lawmakers will support any vote of confidence for Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership when parliament convenes on December 19, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 

The Barisan Nasional chairman said the trust vote will end any doubt about the validity of the prime minister’s leadership and the numbers backing the unity government.

“Although some have said this is a risky move, it is part of the democratic process. BN will give its support in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree,” he said in a Facebook post. 

BN has 30 MPs. 

In his first press conference after being made prime minister, Anwar said he would face a confidence vote in the 222-member parliament. 

However, yesterday DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh said he thinks it is unnecessary for Anwar to face a vote of confidence. 

Pakatan Harapan’s Bukit Gelugor lawmaker said it is clear that the Tambun MP enjoys an overwhelming majority of 140 seats. 

“In fact, it is likely that Pakatan Harapan now has two-thirds’ majority in parliament,” he said in a statement. 

Besides BN, Anwar’s unity government also includes Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, and has the support of MPs from Warisan, Muda, Parti Bangsa Malaysia, and independents. 

Ramkarpal said a vote of confidence ought to be encouraged when there are doubts as to whether a government has the majority, but not in Anwar’s case as his administration’s majority is clear. 

“For instance, when Perikatan Nasional (PN) came into power after the Sheraton move. 

“In that case, Muhyiddin Yassin (PN chairman) ought to have done so as it was unclear if he had the support of at least 112 MPs.

“His failure to do so rightly drew considerable criticism in the circumstances,” he said. – November 27, 2022.