Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 7: All 18 GPS MPs will vote en bloc and support Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to lead the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government during the confidence vote when Parliament convenes this September.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi declared this after a special GPS closed-door meeting with its members of Parliament (MPs) chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Headqaurters in Jalan Bako here today.
Nanta also assured that all GPS MPs still remain intact within the coalition, indicating that none have been bought or shown intentions to hop to another party.
“Following the meeting, GPS MPs have taken the stand to continue supporting the PN government led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“GPS also uphold the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that the government of the day should continue its administration until its legitimacy is determined when the Parliament convenes in September.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to table a motion of confidence in Parliament next month is a wise and bold move, as well as the best approach based on the constitution,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Nanta, who is also Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, also pointed out that GPS viewed that the act of dragging the people into a political crisis and the attempt to overthrow the government in a situation where the people and the country are facing the threat of a Covid-19 pandemic, will only cause unrest among the people.
“The priority of GPS at this time is the people and tackling the pandemic, accelerating the vaccination process as well as reviving the state and national economy.
“GPS thus hope that all parties will stop politicking and all MPs can determine their respective positions whether to support or not the motion of confidence against the Prime Minister in the Parliament next month,” he added.
When asked if there would be a change in decision after September, Nanta said it is too early to predict anything as the party can only wait for what will happen after the vote of confidence.
As to whether the GPS MPs are allowed to vote based on their conscience or must follow the party’s line, he emphasised, “the 18 GPS MPs are a party and are part of the government and therefore, they will go along with the bloc during the motion later.
Facing the calls to step down, Muhyiddin had on Wednesday (Aug 4) told a live national telecast that he will face a confidence motion in Parliament to determine his legitimacy as prime minister and that of the PN government after it reopens next month.
That came after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong issued a rare royal rebuke of the government’s move on the revocation of the Emergency laws without the Palace’s approval, as required by the constitution.
The political situation became even more tense after claims that some 11 Umno MPs withdrew their support for the PN government, after which Muhyddin was summoned by the King for an audience last Wednesday morning following these developments.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong had granted a decree for him to affirm his legitimacy as the prime minister through a vote of confidence in Parliament next month.
The Premier is also confident that he still commands the parliamentary majority, adding that he has received statutory declarations (SDs) from MPs who pledged their support.
Just yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had declared the support of 31 MPs from Barisan Nasional (BN) towards Muhyiddin as the prime minister.
The 14th Parliament session is set to convene on Sept 6.– DayakDaily
