Syed Saddiq hints Muda yet to decide on 'threat' to quit govt bench

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has indicated that his party has yet to decide on whether to withdraw support from the government.

Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot at SK Taman Sutera, Perling, Syed Saddiq said such a decision would be made collectively with fellow party leaders.

"I'm a party man. Everything will be decided by the party," said the Muar MP.

On Sept 5, Muda threatened to withdraw support from the coalition government if there were no detailed explanation from the Attorney-General’s Chambers on its decision to withdraw the 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Two days later, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi challenged Muda to proceed if the party was "man enough".

Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi

Asked whether Muda is waiting for today's outcome to decide, and avoid "blame" for causing the government to lose its two-thirds majority, Syed Saddiq said: "I think what is important today is that we all go out to vote."

"(Let’s) exercise our constitutional rights to vote and at the same time, ensure that not just us but our family members and friends go out to vote," he said, adding next week would be a crucial Parliament sitting.

Pressed whether he will remain on the government bench during the upcoming special Dewan Rakyat sitting for a mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan, Syed Saddiq insisted his focus today was only on voting.

"Today is for voting and let's stick to that," he said to a final question on whether the Muda leadership will make its decision before the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Sept 11.

The Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats fell vacant after the sudden demise of its incumbent, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub in July.

As a result, the coalition government lost its two-thirds majority of 148 seats. If Harapan’s candidate Suhaizan Kaiat wins today, it will restore the Madani government’s supermajority in the Dewan Rakyat.

However, if Muda goes through with its threat, the government will be back to 147 MPs. -Mkini