PM: Govt ready to hold election if any party withdraws support
The government is prepared to face any possibility of a general election in the near future, said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.
He said this included the withdrawal of support from any political party for the current government.
“If there is a party that withdraws support and the government...
The government is prepared to face any possibility of a general election in the near future, said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.
He said this included the withdrawal of support from any political party for the current government.
“If there is a party that withdraws support and the government collapses, an election, therefore, is the answer to (solving) the issue.
“The government is always ready to face the election in any situation. If we remain (in power), we will determine an appropriate election date, as I have already announced that election will still be held,” he told reporters after launching the 2022 Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro Tourism Exhibition in Serdang today.
He said this when asked to address a media report yesterday that Perikatan Nasional (PN) would withdraw its support for the government.
The report claimed that PN was considering withdrawing support for Ismail Sabri as prime minister, as he did not honour his purported agreement to appoint Bersatu MP as a deputy prime minister.
‘Not aware of PN’s stand’
Ismail Sabri said he wasn't aware of PN's stand on whether they still supported him as prime minister, and that could only be answered by the coalition itself.
The Bera MP added that it was to his understanding that there was no official meeting to decide if the coalition intended to withdraw its support.
"To my understanding, the statement was only made by individuals and not decided by the party.
"But even if it is true, then we have no choice but to dissolve Parliament," he said.
Ismail Sabri was reportedly scheduled to meet a PN delegation on Thursday about their agreement, but the meeting was cancelled at the eleventh hour.
The PN delegation comprised Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, Bersatu supreme council member Azmin Ali, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
Ismail Sabri told reporters today that he had already met with Hamzah and Ahmad Samsuri, but did not elaborate on when the meeting was held.
"They expressed their views and I expressed mine. That's all," he said briefly.
Yesterday's report claimed that the Bersatu supreme council on Tuesday was "generally in agreement" that a withdrawal of support was necessary if Ismail Sabri could not be persuaded to keep his word.
It added that Bersatu leaders were unhappy with other aspects of Ismail Sabri's leadership, with allegations that Putrajaya was withholding funds from Bersatu MPs as well as removing them from GLC positions.
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