Some MPs may defy party leaders and back Anwar

FMT:

Some MPs may defy party leaders and back Anwar, say analysts

The King may let the Dewan Rakyat decide on who should lead the government, says Azmi Hassan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 

PETALING JAYA: Political analysts have voiced some doubt that party leaders alone can decide who should be prime minister if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong summons them to ascertain support for Anwar Ibrahim.

It is possible that some MPs are in disagreement with the leaders of their parties, according to Azmi Hassan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia and Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya.

Speaking to FMT, Azmi claimed to have knowledge that at least two PAS MPs were backing Anwar although the party’s deputy president has said that none from PAS was doing so.

After a royal audience yesterday, Anwar said the King would be calling up leaders from several parties in the next few days.

Azmi Hassan

Referring to the Istana Negara statement released after the audience, Azmi said it showed the Agong wanted stability as the country was recording a surge in Covid-19 cases.

He said the King might let the matter be settled in Parliament, with the MPs voting on a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Azizuddin agreed with Azmi and said it was conceivable that some MPs were not in agreement with their party leaders.

Azmi also noted that it was Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and not the party’s president who was the first to meet the King after Anwar’s audience at Istana Negara.

Awang Azman said it was possible the King had called Tengku Razaleigh for an audience because he saw him as a neutral party.

“He is also considered the most experienced in the party and the main reference for Umno as there are several blocs in the party,” he said.

Azizuddin Mohd Sani

He agreed with Azmi that the matter might be decided by a vote of no confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.

Commenting on Anwar’s failure to submit to the King a list of MPs supporting him, Azmi said the list Anwar claimed he had might have been outdated, with some MPs having withdrawn their support.

He said a lot might have changed since Sept 23, when Anwar announced he had the numbers to form a new government.

“If he submits the documents and one or two retract their support, the whole list could be in question.”

Awang Azman Pawi

Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he did not know Tengku Razaleigh would meet the King until he learnt of it from the media.

The purpose of the audience remains unclear.

Several MPs associated with Perikatan Nasional have denied they are supporting Anwar but Zahid has said some MPs from Umno were indeed backing him.

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Meanwhile:

FMT:

Royal audience for Mat Sabu, Guan Eng postponed

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had been scheduled to have separate audiences with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today and next week 

PETALING JAYA: The audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has been postponed.

In a joint statement, the two leaders said they had been summoned to have separate meetings with Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Lim’s audience with Sultan Abdullah was scheduled for today and Mohamad’s audience was scheduled for Oct 21.

“But yesterday, His Majesty’s private secretary informed us that both sessions have been postponed,” the statement added.

This comes after PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that Sultan Abdullah would meet the heads of all parties for their views.