Zahid pledges support for Anwar amid claims of PN coup

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi assured that BN will maintain its support for Anwar Ibrahim as the nation’s prime minister.

He said this in response to claims of Perikatan Nasional (PN) plotting to oust Anwar’s administration by convincing several BN MPs to resign, paving the way for by-elections.

Speaking at Harapan’s Madani rally in Alor Setar, Kedah tonight, Zahid said despite BN and Harapan forming the current coalition government with “luck”, it has come with its own set of challenges.

“There have been many challenges, including recent claims that 15 BN MPs are planning to quit to force by-elections.

“I don’t want to pre-empt God’s judgement. InsyaAllah (God-willing), as BN’s chairperson and Umno president, I will defend all BN MPs and continue to support Anwar,” he said.

Also present at tonight’s event was Anwar, and three other ministers Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Salahuddin Ayub and Fahmi Fadzil.

The claims of PN's coup first surfaced in a report by The Vibes, which alleged that several BN MPs may quit their seats to trigger by-elections.

Later, they would re-contest the seats under the opposition banner.

According to the report, should they emerge victorious, PN will be able to form a new government - with the help of MPs from Sabah and Sarawak - and install PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin as the prime minister again.

The report also claimed the plotters were expecting former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and ex-finance minister Daim Zainuddin to fund the plot because Bersatu’s bank accounts were frozen.

However, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu rubbished the claims, stating that there were no discussions within PN to unseat the prime minister.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who was named in The Vibes’ report, also denied involvement in the alleged plot.

Earlier, the BN supreme council unanimously agreed it will back the coalition government led by Anwar.

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