Muhyiddin is ‘not the rightful Prime Minister’: Former Malaysia’s PM Mahathir Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 1, 2020, NST. Former interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is expected to be sworn in as the 8th Prime Minister today, is “not the rightful Prime Minister,” New Straits Times reported.

Speaking at a press conference at Yayasan al-Bukhary here this morning, Dr Mahathir said that Muhyiddin does not have the majority support of Members of Parliament to become the next premier, and reiterated that he, as Bersatu chairman, has the support of 114 Dewan Rakyat members.

The Langkawi MP added that he will call for an early parliamentary sitting to resolve the matter, but conceded that Muyhiddin will nevertheless be sworn in as the 8th Prime Minister today.

Dr Mahathir added that he will not attend the swearing in ceremony at the Istana Negara at 10.30am.

Early the Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin won the race in becoming the 8th Prime Minister by a mere two vote majority.

The Pagoh Member of Parliament (MP) received 114 votes from his fellow Dewan Rakyat member, said Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

The Kota Baru MP confirmed the numbers when met with the media as he was leaving Muhyiddin’s residence here today.

“He received 114 votes (MPs). This is not a minority government (simple majority) but a majority from 222 (MPs).

“Pas would like to congratulate Muhyiddin for being chosen according to the democratic process and should not be questioned by any party,” he said.

Takiyuddin added that the cooperation of Umno-Pas and Bersatu will form a government and Pas is part of the Muafakat Nasional coalition.

The Dewan Rakyat has 222 federal lawmakers. A split in the votes would see 111, a simple majority would see 112 votes, whereas a two-thirds vote would see a figure of 148.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, an hour before the swearing in of the new Prime Minister, says he feels betrayed by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“He was working on this for a long time and now he has succeeded,” he said at a press conference at Yayasan Al-Bukhary here.

He said what could be done now is limited.

“I can only tell the public I have the majority support, but Muhyiddin will be sworn in.

“The next thing we can do is show no confidence in Parliament. This can be delayed… If Parliament is not allowed to sit, MPs cannot show support or not.

“If they don’t support Muhyiddin, he can’t be PM.”

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin arrived at Istana Negara at 9.50am this morning.

He is expected to take his oath of office as the 8th Prime Minister at 10.30am.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

The appointment of the Pagoh Member of Parliament, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president, as the eighth Prime Minister was announced by Istana Negara yesterday.

His appointment was made in line with article 40(2)(a) and article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.