'BN MPs' will not back no-confidence vote

 

Umno's information department claims that all BN MPs will not support a no-confidence vote in Parliament and will back Putrajaya's National Recovery Plan.

This was expressed in a statement shared with the press through the Umno information department's WhatsApp group, which was supposed to be the collective stand of all BN MPs.

Malaysiakini cannot independently confirm that this is the stand of all BN MPs and has sought verification from Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's office. Zahid is BN's Dewan Rakyat whip.

According to the statement, all BN MPs were supportive of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Conference of Rulers' decree on June 16 that Parliament should be reconvened to debate matters concerning Covid-19.

The BN MPs said they will not support a no-confidence vote if the matter was brought to the Dewan Rakyat because the rulers had expressed a wish to see the "political temperature" lowered.

They are also supportive of the National Recovery Plan because it was in the right direction towards controlling the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Umno and BN cabinet ministers and deputy ministers will commit to performing their duties and roles to control the spread of Covid-19, vaccinate the population, and revive the economy.

"The priority of Umno and BN MPs is the welfare of the people, especially in terms of security and comfort, as well as the future of the country," said the group.

Earlier today, the same statement was distributed to the press and signed by Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The statement was distributed by Ismail's aide.

Hours later, a "correction" was distributed by Umno's information department. Ismail's aide told Malaysiakini that the "updated" version was indeed correct.

As Ismail is a cabinet member, speaking on behalf of backbenchers would have been highly unusual.

There is intense speculation there is a rift among Umno MPs with a larger portion having lost confidence in Zahid.

It is uncertain when Putrajaya will convene the Dewan Rakyat nor is it certain if the federal government will be able to pass any bills since some Umno MPs - such as Zahid (Bagan Datuk) and Najib Abdul Razak (Pekan) - have been highly critical of the government.

The ousting of a chief executive through the legislature is not unimaginable because Umno and Pakatan Harapan had jointly ousted Bersatu's Ahmad Faizal Azumu as the Perak menteri besar through a confidence vote last December. - Mkini