The Bersatu supreme council which convened last night to deliberate on Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation as the prime minister, wants the Bersatu president to determine his successor.
The council also does not discount Muhyiddin making a comeback as the prime minister, said Bersatu supreme council member Eddin Syazlee Shith.
The Bersatu supreme council, which was partially convened at the party headquarters in Petaling Jaya and online, was chaired by party deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu. Muhyiddin was absent.
"The meeting decided to give full support to the party president to decide who will be Perikatan Nasional's (PN) prime ministerial candidate," Eddin told Malaysiakini.
"If the president is still interested, then it will be the president," he added.
Eddin acknowledged that while Muhyiddin lacks a majority, he was still the MP with the most support as the other candidates do not have the numbers.
"Even though he does not have enough, as the PN chairperson, he has the most votes.
"Other people also do not have enough. It's a bargaining tool to negotiate with all quarters involved," he said.
Eddin suggested that a confidence and supply agreement could still be inked.
"Many actually welcomed Muhyiddin's offer, even though in the initial stages many objected. But many have admitted that it is good and they needed time to think.
"We could get the support - it isn't much, only 11 MPs and it will be enough," he said.
Muhyiddin resigned as prime minister after his last-ditch effort to rebuild his crumbled majority by offering reforms to the opposition in exchange for support was swiftly rejected.
Muhyiddin lost his majority after 15 Umno MPs, including Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is facing graft charges, withdrew support.
Some in the opposition, particularly a handful of MPs in the DAP, are worried that "kleptocrats" are taking advantage of Muhyiddin's weak position to take over the government.
Eddin said if Muhyiddin does not wish to make a comeback, Bersatu was open to Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob taking over.
"His deputy will come from Bersatu," he said, adding that it will be between Hamzah Zainudin and Azmin Ali.
Apart from Muhyiddin and Ismail Sabri, Eddin said there are no other PN prime ministerial candidates for now.
Eddin said Muhyiddin had yet to indicate if he plans a comeback but added that the party wanted to give him time.
"Muhyiddin is resting... perhaps he is exhausted after the situation that had happened. Let him rest and then decide." - Mkini
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