Deputy Works Minister Shahruddin Salleh has resigned and if he withdraws his support for Perikatan Nasional, the nascent alliance would be left with a single seat advantage.
Speculation of his resignation followed the circulation of a statement dated today attributed to him, in which the Sri Gading MP said he made a "political mistake" in supporting PN.
According to the statement, the Bersatu lawmaker said he should have acknowledged that the voters in Sri Gading cast their ballots for Pakatan Harapan in the last general election.
"In my first step to rectify this mistake (of supporting PN), I have tendered my resignation because I was appointed by the prime minister (Muhyiddin Yassin) and PN government," the statement quoted him as stating.
According to the statement, his resignation, which comes amid a power tussle in Bersatu between its president Muhyiddin and disputed chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad, takes immediate effect.
Although the statement could not be verified, Shahruddin confirmed his resignation in a brief text message to Berita Harian.
"Yes, it is true that I have resigned," he said.
Earlier, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil also confirmed the resignation in a Twitter post, in which he pointed out that the Muhyiddin-led government is now left with a single-seat majority.
Subsequently, Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who is aligned to Mahathir, tweeted his gratitude to Shahruddin.
"Perhaps his decision to resign is a big lesson for us all. Regardless of the positions, titles and power offered, the love for the nation is the real key to Malaysia's success.
"The voters in Sri Gading are fortunate to have him as their leader," he added.
On Monday, Shahruddin said he hoped Muhyiddin and Mahathir would close ranks and not permit the infighting to weaken Bersatu.
Based on the last Parliament sitting on May 18, it was revealed that PN only has a two-seat majority while Harapan has hinted that it possesses sufficient numbers to reclaim Putrajaya.
PN stormed into power following a political coup in late February after Muhyiddin withdrew Bersatu from Harapan, triggering the collapse of the coalition's 22-month-old government.
Following a week-long political crisis, Muhyiddin was sworn in as the eighth prime minister after forming the PN alliance with Umno, BN, PAS and GPS.
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