Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin earlier this evening made a rather generous offer to consolidate support from MPs from across the divide for his premiership.
However, most opposition parties and MPs who have responded to the announcement so far seemed to be unmoved by the offer, which has been regarded as a last-ditch attempt at saving Muhyiddin's position.
They include big players such as PKR, Amanah and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) whose leaders have openly said that they would not accept Muhyiddin's olive branch, and called for him to step down.
Fahmi Fadzil, PKR communications director:
I was really taken aback when a prime minister openly admitted that he has lost his majority during a live telecast.
The matter of making an offer or any other thing does not arise anymore. What needs to be done now is to follow the Federal Constitution, which Article 43(4) stated that when a prime minister loses his majority, then there are only two options - either he resigns, or he advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament.
What Muhyiddin tried to do this evening was opting for a third choice, which is unconstitutional.
And secondly, borrowing what Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker had said, this is a dollar short a day late. It is already too late for him.
Muhyiddin is desperate, and he is also in no position to make all these offers, which were already our ideas.
On the issue of Undi18, we passed that in 2019. It was his administration that delayed the execution. And so is the proposal to limit a prime minister to only two terms, it's our idea. It stopped because of the Sheraton Move, of which he is the prime beneficiary.
So, he has the gall to offer us so-called scraps. To me, fundamentally from the point of view of the Constitution, this could be ultra vires, beyond his powers, whatever he has (left).
I don't think he is in a position to make any offers or to remain as prime minister. I think he has to tender his resignation tonight.
Marzuki Yahya, Pejuang deputy president:
Pejuang stands with our decision and we will not accept any kind of offer. The most important thing now is that we see him as a prime minister who no longer has the support from the majority.
He does not even have to prove it. Because he really does not have the support anymore. So, what he should do now is step down as prime minister.
Muhyiddin is also not in the position to determine whether the opposition parties have the majority to appoint a new premier. That is under the purview of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
We will not consider his offer. He is only doing this now because he is losing, and trying to openly offer bribes to all MPs.
This is what is called the 'scheme of things'.
Hannah Yeoh, DAP, Segambut MP:
My biggest problem with PN is the incompetency of their cabinet ministers that has led Malaysia to where we are today.
Today's speech does not address that incompetency and changes nothing in helping Malaysia out of the current mess.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), Muar MP:
Only when he is on the verge of losing his power and position that he calls the opposition to have a sit-down.
The prime minister's special address today was full of hypocrisy and tricks. All this was only an attempt to stay one day longer than he deserves, after losing his majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Only now has it come to his senses to give equal allocation to opposition MPs. For almost two years the opposition MPs were denied a fair allocation amount by the PN government. Has the prime minister forgotten how the opposition appealed to him to give us an equal budget?
Now he comes to the extent of making all sorts of offers just to stay in power, the power he already lost.
It is time for Muhyiddin to do the honourable, which is to step down.
Please resign immediately.
Chan Foong Hin, DAP, Kota Kinabalu MP:
Dear outgoing prime minister, thanks for your input on those reforms the country deserves.
You recognise PN has lost the majority of MPs today albeit you lied when you declared you still had the support during an audience with Agong last week.
If Pakatan Harapan is part of the new government, rest assured we would implement the above-mentioned reforms better than you!
Times up. Please step down.
Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus, Amanah, Hulu Langat MP:
When Muhyiddin said no one has the majority, he has admitted that he no longer commands the majority of support. He confirmed that he has lost the confidence of MPs.
The business of proving who has the majority and is fit to become the prime minister is secondary now. It is ongoing and of course, involves the palace.
All these offers were part of what we have been asking for since the beginning. But he ignored us all this while. And after he failed to manage this country, is it fair for us to join them so that they can protect their position?
We are not frogs that they can buy, like some of their friends. We have principles and dignity.
We want to help this country recover, and bring changes to help save the rakyat who have been suffering.
[More to follow]
- Mkini
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