We'll back Muhyiddin until fresh elections can be held - BN ministers

 

BN will continue to give full support to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s leadership, said the coalition’s ministers and deputy ministers in a joint statement today.

However, they maintained that a general election should be held as soon as the public health situation permits to secure a clear mandate from the people and ensure the stability of the government.

“We have agreed that the government built on consensus, for now, will continue to be supported, including giving full support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin in implementing plans for the people’s economic and health recovery.

“To ensure better government stability, we are of the view that a general election should be held as soon as the public health situation permits to obtain a clear mandate from the people.

“Until then, we are united in strengthening BN’s position in the present government and at the same time, making arrangements to ensure BN will be the strongest voice in government,” they said.

The joint statement was signed by 20 ministers and deputy ministers from BN.

It came just a day after BN parliamentarians held a meeting with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan had told reporters after the meeting that BN would support Budget 2021 only if two conditions were met.

Ahmad did not specify the demands but he is believed to be referring to Pekan MP Najib Abdul Razak’s repeated calls for an extension of the moratorium on loan repayments, and for individuals to be allowed to withdraw up to RM10,000 from their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Account 1.

No demands were mentioned in today’s statement from the ministers and deputy ministers.

However, they said they were cognisant of the views of fellow BN parliamentarians regarding the budget proposal.

“The suggestions and opinions will be taken into account for implementation from time to time,” they added.

The 20 are Senior Minister (Defence Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong, Human Resources Minister M Saravanan, Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad, Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba and nine deputy ministers.

In a tweet after the statement was issued, Ahmad said a majority of BN backbenchers have backed Zahid’s statement dated Nov 4 pledging the coalition’s undivided support for the Budget 2021 proposal, while also pressing for the two demands.

“I also hope that the two demands regarding the EPF Account 1 and moratorium will be fulfilled. If not 100 percent, even 70 to 80 percent would suffice,” he added.

The Budget 2021 proposal is expected to come to a vote on Thursday at the policy stage and could potentially turn into a litmus test for Muhyiddin's legitimacy as prime minister especially if the proposal is voted down. - Mkini