Next 48 hours is crucial - Najib

 

The next two days will be crucial in determining the legitimacy of the Perikatan Nasional government, said former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“The next few days, perhaps 24 hours or 48 hours, will be a critical time for this country.

“Whatever decision made, including by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, will determine the future of the country.

“Firstly, the legitimacy of the government has to be determined. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the discretion to determine this through Parliament or otherwise,” he said.

Najib was speaking to Pekan Umno division office bearers remotely today and a video clip of his speech was uploaded on his Facebook page. Najib is the Pekan Umno division head.

He said that in 2009, the Perak ruler had determined outside the state assembly that Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin no longer commanded majority support. That method, said Najib, was accepted by the Federal Court.

Commenting on Istana Negara’s recent letter to the Dewan Rakyat speaker, Najib said this was further proof that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has lost the right to rule.

“The government lost its majority when 14 Umno MPs withdrew support for Muhyiddin. The government has lost its legitimacy.

“This may involve interpretation of the constitution and there are ways to test the legitimacy,” he said.

As of Aug 9, it is certain that 13 Umno MPs had written to the Agong to inform him of their decision to withdraw support for Muhyiddin.

Another MP - Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - no longer sat with the opposition when Dewan Rakyat convened in late July.

Assuming all else remained equal, Muhyiddin’s supporters in Dewan Rakyat had been whittled down to 100 - 11 short of a simple majority.

As of yesterday, Muhyiddin’s administration had insisted that his majority will only be tested when Parliament reconvenes on Sept 7. - Mkini