PERMAISURI: Perikatan Nasional (PN) has not fallen as it still holds the majority in Dewan Rakyat despite Machang MP Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob’s retraction of support for it, says de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan.
The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (for Parliament and law) said the government is not affected by his move.
“I learnt about it from the media yesterday. I do not know his objective or intention. In any case, the existing government is still legitimate and has enough MPs.
“What is important is that the government has functioned well since it took over in March. The people also can see that. So we will continue to serve through its organisational structure at all levels,” he said.
Takiyuddin, who is also PAS secretary-general, said this when met by reporters during his visit to the Setiu sessions’ and magistrates’ courts here today.
With Jazlan not on any side, the ruling coalition now has 111 seats compared to the opposition’s 108.
The 222-seat Dewan Rakyat currently has 220 MPs following the deaths of Hasbullah Osman (BN-Gerik) and Liew Vui Keong (Warisan-Batu Sapi). The by-elections for the two seats have been called off until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jazlan, who is also Kelantan Umno chairman, announced his withdrawal of support for the PN government at a news conference at the party’s headquarters in Kota Bharu yesterday.
Last Monday, Jazlan had announced his resignation as the Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman effective Jan 6, expressing his dissatisfaction with the PN government.
On Jan 6, the Umno Supreme Council accepted a motion to part ways with Muhyiddin Yassin’s PPBM in the 15th general election but said it will only make a final decision at the party’s general assembly on Jan 31.