Kuala Lumpur: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has challenged the government to declare six parliamentary seats and one Selangor assembly seat, in which its representatives had switched their support, as vacant.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Bersatu president, said efforts to weaken PN’s position by tempting its representatives with various incentives to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are a sign of desperation from the government.
“Let’s return the mandate to the people and let the people decide,” he said when officiating a PN convention for elected representatives here today.
“I’m not bragging, but I firmly believe, God willing, that PN will win by larger margins in these seats if by-elections are held.”
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The amendment, which is subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies, came after six Bersatu MPs pledged their support for Anwar.
They are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
They said they did so to obtain development allocations for their constituencies.
On Wednesday, Selat Klang assemblyman Abdul Rashid Asari pledged his support for Selangor menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, citing PN’s silence on accusations levelled against the Rulers.
In his speech, Muhyiddin also said the government’s efforts to “undermine” the opposition would ultimately backfire on the administration.
“I believe these actions will backfire on the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government.
“The people can see through your charade. They know your malicious intent. They despise your actions,” he said.
He added that such actions would also not change the public’s negative perception of the government.
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