Muhyiddin denies ever claiming having majority support to be PM, clarified on Bersatu’s strategy
SHAH ALAM - The allegations that he secured support of the majority of MPs to be reappointed as prime minister is not true, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin insists.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president denied telling political party leaders this, stating that discussions were purely focused on the15th General Election (GE15).
“I would like to emphasize that I have never told or confirmed to anyone that I have had the support of the majority of MPs. The accusation is untrue.
“What was discussed in my series of meetings with several leaders of political parties other than Barisan Nasional (BN) was to establish understanding to face the 15th General Election,” he said in an official statement today (June 5).
In addition, he said the meetings were carried out after considering the one-on-one formula as a way to face the next election against BN, in which the matter was discussed informally when there were several politicians from the opposition parties who met him after the Johor state election.
“Following that, I took the initiative to contact the leaders of parties other than BN to share views on the one-on-one formula.
“I took this initiative after obtaining the approval of the Bersatu Political Bureau and the Bersatu supreme leadership council. I did not act alone but got a mandate from the party,” he said.
In the Johor polls last month, BN led the popular vote with 599,753 votes, followed by Perikatan Nasional (PN) (334,457) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) (284,969).
Similarly in the Melaka state election last November, BN led the popular vote with 599,753 votes, followed by PN (334,457) and PH (284,969).
The Pagoh MP said he took the initiative to reach out to political leaders except Barisan in order to exchange opinions regarding the one-on-one formula.
He also mentioned there was the need for an effort to be made in order to prevent BN from returning to full power in the country.
Commenting further on the one-on-one formula, Muhyiddin said the proposed method is a form of cooperation or electoral pact that does not involve the formation of new political coalitions but based on one common agenda to ensure that BN does not return to power.
"I believe the majority of people reject kleptocracy and efforts must be made to stop BN from returning to power in this country," he said.
Muhyiddin said he had taken into account the various views of political leaders and aware of the political stance of each party on this proposal.
He said he maintained an open attitude while taking note of each party's stance on this proposal, since it is part of an informal inter-party consultation process.
“I agree each party has certain views on a number of matters related to this proposal. Therefore, I take an open attitude. This is part of an informal inter-party consultation process.
“The door to Bersatu negotiations is always open to parties other than BN to reach a consensus on the best formula to face the GE15,” he added.
On Monday, Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal claimed that Muhyiddin had contacted him two months ago to get his backing to become prime minister again.
Shafie claimed that Muhyiddin told him that he had the backing of 119 MPs in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat.
Shafie had also claimed that he discussed the matter with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who he said was agreeable to supporting Muhyiddin.
Shafie said he had told Muhyiddin "to go ahead" but he had no plans to follow.
Muhyiddin was appointed prime minister following the fall of PH after the Sheraton Move in February 2020 but resigned after 17 months in power after a group of Umno MPs led by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi withdrew support for him.
Ismail Sabri was subsequently appointed prime minister, and signed an MOU for bipartisanship support with PH in September last year to restore political stability.
