No signals of PM Muhyiddin losing support, self-assurance vote not really a priority: Malaysian minister

There are no signs that Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is losing the support of the Members of Parliament (MPs), and hence tabling confidence motions is presently not a priority for the federal government, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan. 

Mr Takiyuddin was giving an answer to a parliamentary question on Thursday (Dec 10) by Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim who asked if the 25 motions of no self-confidence and two self-confidence motions filed on Mr Muhyiddin's position will be tabled, debated and voted in parliament. 

Mr Takiyuddin outlined that while MPs are allowed to file these motions, Article 15(1) of the Standing Orders of parliament claims that government business should be prioritised over different business during a parliamentary sitting. 

"Since there are no indications that Pagoh MP (Mr Muhyiddin) has lost support, (and that) the federal government believes that the motions of no confidence and self confidence are particular motions and (ought to be) based on the demands of the people, I am sure this Residence knows they aren't something that must be prioritised," explained Mr Takiyuddin. 

He explained that Mr Muhyiddin remained the rightful primary minister of Malaysia due to he was appointed by the king following thanks process in March, after achieving the support of 114 MPs, over fifty percent of the 222 federal parliamentarians. 

Minister in the Primary Minister’s Section (Parliament and Regulation) Takiyuddin Hassan. (File photo: Bernama) 

Mr Takiyuddin also noted that opposition innovator Anwar Ibrahim had claimed in September that he previously the support of nearly all MPs to get the prime minister. 

On the other hand, the de facto rules minister remarked that after Mr Anwar's audience with the king in October, the palace introduced a declaration highlighting that Mr Anwar simply presented the total quantity of MPs that reinforced his bid, however, not a complete list identifying who the MPs were to strengthen his state. 

Mr Muhyiddin, who pulled Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia out of Pakatan Harapan to join forces with Barisan Nasional and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia to create the government in later February, only commands a razor-thin majority in the House. 

In October, he sought to declare a state of emergency as the quantity of COVID-19 cases in the united states continued to rise. 

The proposed state of emergency could have suspended the parliament, that was due to table and debate the 2021 spending plan in November and December. On the other hand, the king had rejected the suggestion.

On Nov 26, the spending plan was passed at the policy stage carrying out a voice vote. Simply 13 MPs stood up to protest the vote, short of the 15 required to enforce bloc voting.

By Thursday, the spending plan allocations for each and every individual ministry that were submit at the committee level were as well passed by either bloc vote or voice vote. 

Mr Takiyuddin highlighted that this was another indication that Mr Muhyiddin even now garnered support of nearly all MPs. 

He noted that the opposition had previous stated that if the 2021 national budget didn't pass, it will be a good "reflection that the prime minister has shed majority support".

However the budget was passed on Nov 26 with a voice vote, with few disagreements from the MPs, he said. 

"This is about the record in this House. Consequently, there is absolutely no valid indicate say that there's been a reduction or reduction in bulk support for Pagoh (Mr Muhyiddin)," he added.