File photo for illustration purposes
KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak, which has become the kingmaker in the political impasse besetting the country, is scheduled to announce on March 1 who it supports as the next prime minister.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri Dr James Masing has told the Straits Times that the state ruling coalition would announce on Sunday if it supports Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the new premier.
“GPS will make our stand as regard to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on March 1,” he told the Singapore daily.
Muhyiddin, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president, and Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are so far the only candidates for the prime minister’s post but neither one of them has the majority in the 222-seat parliament.
A tally based on news reports has Muhyiddin currently leading Anwar by just four seats.
Muhyiddin reportedly has Bersatu (36), Umno (39), PAS (18), MCA (2) and MIC (1) for a total of 96 seats; while PKR (39), Amanah (11) and DAP (42) are with Anwar with 92 seats.
The position of 15 seats are unclear. They are under Parti Warisan Sabah (9), Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (3), United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (1), Parti Sarawak Bersatu (1) and one independent parliamentarian.
But even with the 15, neither Muhyiddin nor Anwar would have the majority in Parliament.
So, the burden has fallen on GPS – with its 18 seats – to decide who will be the eighth prime minister.