Istana Negara is said to have requested the Dewan Rakyat speaker to confirm how many MPs are currently in support of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
According to a letter which had gone viral, the Comptroller of the Royal Household sent a letter to speaker Azhar Azizan Harun on Aug 9.
A source privy to the matter has confirmed to Malaysiakini that the document is genuine.
Through the letter, it was said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong wanted to know the number of lawmakers supporting the prime minister.
It stated that Azhar, through an earlier letter dated Aug 3, had briefed the palace that Muhyiddin then had 106 MPs on his side.
However, according to the palace, two cabinet members have since tendered their resignations, on Aug 4 and 6, and this had thus decreased the number by two.
“Istana Negara was also informed that four members of the Dewan Negara (sic) have changed their positions and now support the prime minister.
“However, to date, there was no official report from you on this matter.
“Thus, Istana Negara would like to request the latest update on the number of Dewan Rakyat members who support the prime minister, to be briefed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for further action by His Majesty,” the letter stated.
It was signed by the Comptroller of the Royal Household, Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin.
Azhar was told to respond to the letter by 2pm on Aug 10, which was two days ago.
On Aug 9, Umno revealed letters signed by 13 of its MPs saying that they no longer support Muhyiddin. The MPs include Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Bung Moktar Radin and Kimanis MP Mohamad Alamin.
Umno Youth lodged police report
Besides the palace's request, another letter purportedly was sent by Azhar as his reply has also gone viral. However, its authenticity has yet to be ascertained.
Malaysiakini has contacted Azhar for comments. However, news portal Malaysiapost reported that Azhar had declined to comment on the authenticity of the letter to Istana Negara.
"Sorry, I cannot comment on my official communications, especially when it involves the palace," he was quoted as saying.
Following this, Umno Youth today lodged a police report to urge authorities to investigate and determine if the circulated letter was genuine.
Its chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki told a press conference that they want Azhar to issue a denial if the letter being circulated on social media was fake.
"In the letter, Azhar said that the number of MPs who support the prime minister has now decreased to only 100.
"Thus, Umno Youth urges the speaker of the Dewan Rakyat to immediately issue a statement to deny the letter, although he had reportedly told the Malaysiapost news portal that he does not want to comment as it involves the palace," Asyraf said.
Malaysiakini has sent a request for comments to Istana Negara. - Mkini
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