AMID chants of “referendum” by Perikatan Nasional (PN) supporters, coalition chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Speaking at a press conference, Muhyiddin said it has proven that the state assembly elections are a referendum and a rejection by the people of the unity government.
“With that, Anwar and his deputy Ahmad Zahid have to step down immediately,” he said, adding that PN’s victory in the six state polls, and with the coalition making inroads in Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan is a “big slap” to Anwar.
According to the Bersatu chairman, PN has won 146 of the 245 state seats that were up for grabs, which is equivalent to 60% of the seats.
UMNO, meanwhile, lost about 82% of the seats that it had contested under the unity coalition.
“Our achievement of retaining Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan is proof that Malay voters are backing us. PN also won some mixed seats which shows we are getting the support of non-Malays as well,” he added.
When quizzed on whether Selangor PN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali will become the opposition leader, Muhyiddin merely said, “wait first”.
In the Aug 12 state polls, the Pakatan Harapan-BN coalition has managed to keep its three states, namely Penang, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan while PN retains Kedah as well as the east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu. – Aug 13, 2023
Main pic credit: Kosmo Digital
