Hadi was first to back me as PM, Muhyiddin reveals

After leading the Perikatan Nasional government for six months, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin revealed that his PAS counterpart, Abdul Hadi Awang was the first to sign a statutory declaration (SD) pledging support for him to become prime minister.

The signing of Hadi’s SD took place following Mahathir’s resignation in February this year. Other political party leaders followed suit, culminating in the formation of the PN government.

“I was appointed as prime minister by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after the former prime minister resigned and I received the support from the majority of MPs from Bersatu, BN, PAS, GPS, Star, and PBS.

“Among the earliest to support me was Hadi, who is the Marang MP and PAS president and is here today. I wish to convey my thanks,” he said at a convention in Kuala Lumpur today held in conjunction with PN’s half-year in power.

Muhyiddin said he personally did not expect to be appointed prime minister during the political crisis in late-February.

“But since there was a political crisis that was quite complicated, the leaders of political parties that form PN today nominated me as prime minister.

“After the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was satisfied that I have the support of the majority of MPs, I became the prime minister.

“Apart from Allah’s will, I am here today because the support from MPs. As prime minister, my first task according to the Federal Constitution is to form a cabinet.

“Thus, I formed a cabinet that brings together MPs from parties that supported me, a banker, and a former mufti. This is the cabinet that forms the government knowns as the PN government,” he said.

Hadi Awang

Six-month probation

Muhyiddin said PN’s six months in power is a short time to evaluate its achievements.

“Under normal circumstances, six months is like a probation. Undoubtedly, much more time is needed to make a more comprehensive evaluation on a government’s achievements,” the prime minister said, adding that he will be leaving it to the people to judge his administration’s performance.

Hadi was present at the convention as PAS’ representative as well as leaders of other ruling parties, including Bersatu.

Muhyiddin was appointed prime minister on Feb 29.

For the record, on Feb 1, Hadi had said PAS will back Mahathir in event of a no-confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat to allow Mahathir to serve until the end of his term.

“Yes, (PAS) maintains its support for Mahathir and will still defend his position as prime minister, because he still needs to be prime minister in current circumstances,” he said at the time, before changing his stance by the end of the month. - Mkini