PAS confidence vote - Umno says it's not a busybody on Harapan affairs

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa said PAS has a right to proceed with its plan for a vote of confidence for Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the Dewan Rakyat but said Umno did not want to be a "busybody" in Pakatan Harapan affairs.

"In terms of (parliamentary) rules, PAS can do so if the (Dewan Rakyat) speaker allows it. The political parties can choose to give freedom to their MPs to vote according to their conscience or follow the party whip or abstain.

"Speculation will continue about who will support who. Malaysian politics will continue to be interesting and uncertain. But this is not good for the country," he said in a statement today.

He said this in response to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man who suggested a vote of confidence for the prime minister when the Dewan Rakyat convenes again next month.

He also alluded that PAS was willing to join forces with some parties in Pakatan Harapan, stating that there was no such thing as a "backdoor government" as long as any change in government was done in accordance to the democratic process.

However, PAS has consistently maintained that it won't work with the DAP which is part of Harapan. Mahathir is chairperson of both Harapan and Bersatu.

Annuar maintained that Harapan is a "failed formula" and Umno did not want to be part of its problems.

"The government's problems are for Harapan to bear and Harapan also has its internal problems. It is best for them to resolve them on their own.

"Umno does not need to be a busybody over Harapan's problems," he said.

Annuar claimed Umno has recovered and was becoming stronger amidst public dissent against the government.

"Umno, BN and Muafakat Nasional have to bear a heavy duty. It is not about 'front door' or 'back door' but what we can do collectively considering the multiparty environment and the interests of all races in the country," he said.

Umno is part of both the BN coalition together with MCA and MIC as well as the Muafakat Nasional pact which sees it in partnership with PAS.

PAS has for months attempted to paint Harapan as a disunited coalition that is not fully behind the prime minister while presenting itself as a potential support base for Mahathir.