The immediate challenge facing the Muhyiddin premiership is to demonstrate to Malaysia's King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, that he still commands a simple majority in Parliament to stay in office.
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KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's party said on Thursday (July 8) that his government would continue to function despite Umno withdrawing its backing.
Amid uncertainty over whether Tan Sri Muhyiddin continues to command majority support without Umno, the largest party in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) ruling pact, his Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia said Umno's decision "had no effect on the workings of government".
"In the Westminster system of democracy, a government is formed by a Prime Minister based on his majority support of the members of Parliament," said Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced in the early hours of Thursday that the party's Supreme Council had resolved to withdraw its support for the Premier and call for his resignation, alleging numerous failings by his administration in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic and reviving the economy.
However, it remained unclear if all 38 Umno lawmakers would toe the party line.
Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said the council agreed that MPs could vote in Parliament using their own discretion, but should stay guided by the party's decisions.
An unsigned statement said to be issued by MPs from the Umno-led Barisan Nasional alliance said they would continue supporting PN, although former premier Najib Razak has questioned its veracity.
Veteran Umno lawmaker Nazri Aziz, however, has claimed at least 32 of the party's MPs would not desert Mr Muhyiddin.
Political pundits say Umno's move is not enough to unseat the Muhyiddin administration.
Malaysian Attorney-General Idrus Harun said that there were no clear facts to show that the Premier no longer enjoys the majority support of lawmakers in the 222-seat Parliament.
"Based on Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, the determination of whether someone has the confidence of the majority of the Lower House members must be determined by the members of the Lower House themselves, and not through any announcement by a political party or any political leader," said the country's legal adviser in a statement.
Sunway University political scientist Wong Chin Huat said that allowing Mr Muhyiddin to stay in power as a minority government is the most "reasonable solution", as Malaysia cannot go without a government or hold an election now.
"Without a formal defeat in the House, the only way to change the government is to present an alternative positive majority to the Palace, effectively a 'constructive vote of no confidence'," he said.
Democratic Action Party (DAP) leader P. Ramasamy said Umno's decision might not have the desired effect as it is evident that a faction of its MPs do not share party president Zahid's view.
"As long as a sizeable number of Umno MPs, especially those holding positions in the government, are with Muhyiddin, the government might not be toppled that easily," he said yesterday.
MPs within Umno itself appeared split over the Supreme Council decision, with Ketereh MP Annuar Musa claiming some council members had informed him that Zahid's statement on withdrawing support did not fully reflect the council's views.
But this claim was contradicted by Pengerang MP Azalina Othman, who said that the council's decision was unanimous.
Zahid has said a new prime minister should be installed to manage the pandemic until an election can be called, and that his party would not back opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for the post, nor support any administration led by his Pakatan Harapan (PH) pact, which has 88 MPs.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said a new prime minister should be installed to manage the pandemic until an election can be called. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
PH has called for Mr Muhyiddin to resign, saying he no longer had legitimacy as prime minister.
Dismissing a partnership with PH, however, leaves Umno with limited avenues to form government.
Umno has simply "shot itself in the foot", said Dr Wong.
"The move can only make the PN government officially a minority one, but cannot end the latter's tenure," he added.
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan’s government on Thursday (July 8) announced a new virus state of emergency stretching throughout the Olympics, as reports said organisers could bar fans from almost all events at the Games.
With just two weeks until the July 23 opening ceremony, coronavirus infections are rising in the capital, and the spread of the more infectious Delta variant has spooked officials.
The rising cases threaten to derail plans to let up to 10,000 local fans into Olympic venues, and could mean that Tokyo 2020 will be the first Games held behind closed doors.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the emergency measures – which are far looser than the harsh lockdowns seen in other parts of the world – will be in place from Monday until Aug 22.
But the government could lift the emergency earlier “if the effect of vaccines becomes clear and an improvement is seen in the situation of hospital beds”, Mr Suga said.
Earlier in the day, Mr Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of Japan’s virus response, warned that new Covid-19 cases were rising in the capital.
“As the movement of people increases, the more infectious Delta variant now accounts for around 30 per cent of cases. This is expected to expand further,” he said.
Under the virus emergency, alcohol will be banned at bars and restaurants, which will have to close by 8pm, Mr Nishimura said. Events such as concerts and conferences will have to end by 9pm.
And crucially, spectators at events will be capped at 5,000 people or 50 per cent of venue capacity, whichever is less.
The decision puts pressure on the Olympic organisers, who are scrambling to make a final ruling on how many local fans, if any, will be in the stands at the Games.
Several Japanese media outlets said the organisers were now likely to bar spectators from all competition venues in Tokyo and three surrounding areas.
Tokyo 2020 organisers are expected to meet local and national government officials as well as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee as early as Thursday evening to make the key decision.
IOC chief arrives
While Japan has so far experienced a relatively small virus outbreak - with around 14,900 deaths - despite avoiding harsh lockdowns, its vaccination programme has moved comparatively slowly.
Just over 15 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated so far, and there are concerns that the Delta variant could produce a new wave that might quickly overwhelm local medical resources.
But they have acknowledged that the figure might be further reduced, saying the Games could even be held behind closed doors if the virus situation worsened and tougher restrictions were imposed in Tokyo.
The Games could be held behind closed doors if the virus situation worsened and tougher restrictions were imposed in Tokyo. PHOTO: AFP
Ticket holders for oversubscribed events were supposed to find out on Tuesday whether they would still have seats after a lottery to thin the crowds.
But in a sign of the continued wrangling on the issue, those results have now been pushed back until Saturday.
IOC chief Thomas Bach arrived in Tokyo on Thursday afternoon, and will have to undergo three days of quarantine before being allowed limited movement.
Olympic participants generally will not have to observe the full quarantine of 14 days, but will face restrictions during their time in Japan, with athletes limited to venues and the Olympic Village and tested daily for the virus.
Tokyo 2020 is struggling to build momentum and enthusiasm as the final countdown begins.
A torch relay that was supposed to stoke excitement as it travelled nationwide has been taken off public roads in much of the country over virus risks, and even its legs in the capital will now be held without spectators.
And fans have been asked to avoid the route of the Olympic marathon when it is run in northern Hokkaido.
Polls show most Japanese would prefer the Games to be postponed again or cancelled outright, though opposition has softened in recent weeks.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his Cabinet ministers can continue to exercise their federal executive powers, as there is no clear evidence to show that he no longer has the support of the majority of lawmakers in parliament, said Malaysia’s Attorney-General Idrus Harun on Thursday (Jul 8).
Mr Idrus issued a media statement just hours after United Malays National Organisation's (UMNO) president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the party has withdrawn its support for the Muhyiddin-led government, while urging for the prime minister to step down.
The attorney-general's statement said: "Referring to the media statement issued by the UMNO president dated Jul 7, it is a statement from a component party that forms the existing government that was appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong pursuant to Article 43 (1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution.
"As it stands now, the government has no clear facts proving that the prime minister no longer garners the support of majority of the members of the House of Representatives."
He added: "Based on Article 43 (2) (a) of the Federal Constitution, determination of whether (a leader) earns the confidence of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives shall be determined by the members of the House of Representatives themselves and not through statements by a political party or any party leader politics."
"Therefore, in legal terms, YAB Prime Minister and the existing Cabinet ministers can still exercise executive federal powers."
In his initial announcement on Thursday morning, Ahmad Zahid said: "UMNO urges Muhyiddin Yasin to withdraw honourably to enable a new prime minister to be appointed for a limited period."
The new prime minister would only focus efforts on the people's welfare throughout the pandemic, handle COVID-19 with an inclusive approach and ensure the vaccination and immunisation process could be sped up.
Once herd immunity was achieved, he said, this prime minister must advise the king to return the people's mandate to hold the 15th general election.
Ahmad Zahid also stated that UMNO will not support opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister. His party will also not support any coalition together with Pakatan Harapan or the Democratic Action Party.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, former prime minister Najib Razak backed the proposal for an interim government.
"I believe that the decision of the UMNO supreme council to withdraw its support for Muhyiddin (and not about withdrawing support from the PN government) is to give way to an interim administration with a temporary limit and fixed goals to resolve the COVID-19 situation, provide aid to the people and achieve the herd immunity through vaccinations before dissolving parliament and returning the mandate to the people, is the right decision, ” he said.
PH CALLS FOR MUHYIDDIN TO RESIGN
In a statement on Thursday evening, leaders from opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan called for Mr Muhyiddin to resign as he has lost support from the majority of MPs.
The statement, jointly issued by Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu and Democratic Action Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, stated that when the head of PN's largest component party, UMNO, announced that it has withdrawn support, the prime minister has lost the support of majority of MPs.
"Therefore, YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must resign with honour because he has lost his support and legitimacy as prime minister," the statement said.
The statement added that PH's presidential council is of the view that this is not the right time to hold general election, state elections or by-elections given the high number of COVID-19 cases and the increasing pressure on Malaysia's health infrastructure.
UMNO's status as a partner within the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) under Mr Muhyiddin, had been increasingly called into question.
During the UMNO general assembly in March this year, the party had concluded it would withdraw support for the PN government if there were no indications of a general election within the near future.
Earlier in March, the party had also indicated it would not cooperate with Bersatu once the current parliament was dissolved.
Ismail Sabri Yaakob (left) and Hishammuddin Hussein. (File photo: Bernama)
On Wednesday, Mr Muhyiddin reshuffled his Cabinet, promoting senior minister for defence Ismail Sabri Yaakob to deputy prime minister.
Mr Hishammuddin Hussein, who held the foreign affairs portfolio, was promoted to senior minister as well.
There had been speculation that some UMNO leaders, including Mr Ismail Sabri and Mr Hishammuddin, are against the idea of a breakaway from PN at this juncture when there is a pandemic.
Several Cabinet members and senior government officials were reportedly seen entering Mr Muhyiddin's residence on Thursday morning for discussions.
UMNO'S DECISION TO WITHDRAW NOT MADE BY PARTY PRESIDENT ALONE: AHMAD ZAHID
On Thursday, Malaysian media, citing sources, said that Ahmad Zahid’s announcement the night before did not reflect the decision of the entire party supreme council.
In a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon, Ahmad Zahid stressed that UMNO's decision to withdraw from the PN government was done in the interest of the country and its people.
UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. (File photo: Bernama)
"Everything is decided constitutionally, deliberatively and wisely. Based on the welfare of the people and the country," he said.
"So it is not true, based on propaganda and perception that is often conjured, that the UMNO president makes his own decisions for the party," he added.
"It is also proven that UMNO is not a party that can compromise when it involves the interests of the people and the country."
LONDON: England and their long-suffering fans finally have the chance to add another trophy to the 1966 World Cup after they overcame Denmark 2-1 in extra-time on Wednesday to reach the European Championship final for the first time.
Harry Kane's goal, following up after his penalty had been saved, finally saw off battling Denmark to set up a Sunday showdown against Italy, also looking to shake off the '60s as they seek to win the title they last lifted in 1968.
On a night to remember in front of almost 60,000 roaring fans, England fell behind to Mikkel Damsgaard's superb free kick, equalised with an own goal, dominated the game and then won it via their captain, albeit somewhat unconvincingly, in the 104th minute.
"Unbelievable - what a game though," said Kane. "We dug deep and we got there when it mattered. We reacted really well - we're in a final at home, what a feeling."
It was of course a particularly special night for coach Gareth Southgate, whose penalty shoot-out miss sent England out of the semi-finals of Euro 96. "We said to the players at some point we're going to have to show resilience and come back from setbacks, and we did that tonight," he said.
"The most pleasing thing is that we've given our fans and our nation a fantastic night and the journey carries on for another four days. We've said we want to create memories I've said to the young ones 'it isn't always like this'."
It was a tough way for Denmark to end their emotional ride from the fear and distress of Christian Eriksen’s opening game collapse to their first semi-final since their shock Euro 92 win, but their exhausted players left Wembley with socks rolled down but heads held high.
"I am proud of this group and everyone who has been on this journey. It has been fantastic to be involved. I am hungry and empty, but I am also proud," said Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
CROWD STUNNED
Having swept past Ukraine 4-0 in the quarter-finals, England knew they faced a considerable step up on Wednesday and the quality in the Danish ranks was amply illustrated after 30 minutes when Damsgaard fired a powerful, dipping 25-yard free kick over the wall and beyond the diving Jordan Pickford.
England had reached the semis without conceding a goal and the crowd were stunned. The question of how England would respond to their first real setback would now be addressed.
The answer was calmly and patiently, as they passed their way back into the ascendancy. Raheem Sterling was denied at point-blank range by Kasper Schmeichel before the 39th-minute equaliser, when Bukayo Saka hit the byline and fizzed over a low cross that Simon Kjaer bundled over his own line in his attempt to stop the ball reaching Sterling.
Schmeichel was on hand again with an excellent diving save to palm away a Harry Maguire header and England began to turn the screw in the second half, but, despite their relentless passing and probing around the box, they struggled to carve out a clear opening and the match rolled into extra time.
The extra 30 minutes became a virtual attack v defence exercise, as Schmeichel saved again from Kane and Jack Grealish and the fear of penalties began to rise among the home fans.
The ever-dangerous Sterling continued to drive into the box though and was eventually brought down by Joakim Maehle for the VAR-reviewed penalty that Kane struck poorly and Schmeichel blocked, only for the captain to tuck home the rebound.
England then negotiated the last 15 minutes to spark the loudest, and surely most confident rendition of "Football's Coming Home", ever to ring around Wembley.
"When you’ve waited as long as we have to get through a semi-final, the players - considering the limited international experience some of them have - have done an incredible job," Southgate said.
"We suffered in Moscow (in the 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia) on a night like this and we've managed to put that right. It's an incredible occasion to be a part of. The fans were incredible all night. There was mayhem on the pitch and I was part of it. We’ve got to enjoy the fact we're in the final but there's one more massive hurdle to conquer."
