PH calls for Parliament sitting to start on March 9 as scheduled

KUALA LUMPUR (March 1): Pakatan Harapan, backed by 112 lawmakers, has called for the next Parliament sitting to resume as scheduled on March 9, said the coalition's presidential council in a statement.

This is the best opportunity to determine if there is enough support for the Prime Minister, it said.

“With the support of 112 MPs, (we) request that the third sitting of parliament for this term go on as scheduled on March 9.

“This is the best opportunity to determine support for the Prime Minister and end the political uncertainty and turmoil in the country,” it added.

The presidential council has also given the post of the party’s chief Secretary to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.

Saifuddin takes over from his namesake Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah who had left the party.

Saifuddin Abdullah was among the 11 MPs aligned with Datuk Seri Azmin Ali who left PKR to become members of PPBM.

Pakatan Harapan, who is led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pictured) , last night released a released a list of 115 MPs — including himself — backing him as prime minister.

However, two MPs in the list — Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal and Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat — have come out to deny backing Dr Mahathir, instead saying they support Muhyiddin, reported Malaysiakini.

A simple majority of 112 MPs out of a total 222 in the Dewan Rakyat is required to form a government.

Dr Mahathir said earlier today that they will be calling for an urgent Parliament sitting, where the MPs will determine who has the clear majority to form a government.

“When the parliament sits, of course they (Parti Bersatu led by current Prime Minister Tan Seri Muhyiddin Yassin) can ask for a delay, but we are going to ask for an urgent sitting,”

“At that sitting, we will see who has the majority,” he said at a press conference minutes before Muhyiddin was sworn in by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the National Palace.

Mahathir said that the decision to back a Prime Minister still lies in the hands of the Dewan Rakyat.

“Before the parliament sitting starts, a lot of things can happen, people on our side may be offered ministerial positions and inducements,” he said.

“We have 114 now, but after actions taken by these privileged and powerful people, we may not have the 114 as we hoped,”

“Hold the parliament sitting now,” he demanded.