Umno cannot consider any offers made by an illegitimate prime minister, party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today in rejecting Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's bipartisan support call in exchange for reforms.
Zahid in a statement also described Muhyiddin's offer as desperate and a form of open bribery in order to cling on to power.
"Umno would like to advise the people to remain calm until the Yang di-Pertuan Agong carries out his constitutional duty under Article 40(2) to appoint a new prime minister from among MPs.
"Umno records our highest appreciation to 15 Umno MPs who remain loyal and steadfast in defending the party's stand to continue upholding the royal institution and Federal Constitution," he said in a statement.
Umno is split with Zahid (above) leading a faction of MPs and leaders who have withdrawn support for Muhyiddin and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration.
Muhyiddin's cabinet, meanwhile, still comprises Umno MPs led by Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also Umno vice-president.
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Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin in a statement said there was no excuse for Muhyiddin to delay his resignation after conceding a loss of majority support in Parliament.
"Respected prime minister, your time has come. The game is over!
"Hand over the power and government back to the people, let the people decide the next step," said Khaled, the only one of three Umno vice-presidents to speak out against Muhyiddin. Padang Terap MP Mahdzir Khalid is the third Umno vice-president and had voiced support for Muhyiddin.
Khaled further alluded to constitutional provisions that stipulated a prime minister who ceases to command majority support must either seek to dissolve Parliament or tender the resignation of the cabinet.
"The Federal Constitution is not an instrument that can be interpreted according to the whims of those in power.
"It is an instrument drafted to protect the nation and the people's interest, not the interest of a prime minister or any political parties," he added.
The former Johor menteri besar said while Muhyiddin had claimed to act in the best interest of the people by refusing to resign, the people might not share the same sentiment.
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Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also said Muhyiddin should heed Article 43(4) of the Federal Constitution and resign.
"The proposal to form an inclusive government involving all parties to handle the Covid-19 pandemic and welfare of the people is commendable but it should no longer be led by Muhyiddin who has lost his legitimacy as prime minister," he said.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin said he cannot resign as prime minister because no one else commands the majority to replace him.
He also appealed to the opposition to back him in the upcoming confidence vote by promising a slew of reforms.
- Mkini
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