Abang Johari (second right) hugs Muhyiddin upon arriving at the latter’s residence, as Uggah (right) and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan look on yesterday. — TVSarawak photo
LONG BEDIAN, Baram: Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) support was decisive in convincing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah revealed today.
“On Saturday at around 4pm, CM (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) had informed a representative from the Palace that GPS supports Muhyiddin.
“And at around 5pm, the King announced Muhyiddin as the eighth PM,” the deputy chief minister said in his speech during an event here today.
GPS has 18 parliamentarians.
Muhyiddin was sworn in on Sunday morning with the support of MPs from GPS, Barisan Nasional, PAS, and a faction from his party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Sarawak as well as MPs who had quit Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has cast doubt on Muhyiddin’s majority in parliament, claiming instead that he had 114 out of 222 MPs with him.
Uggah also said today that Muhyiddin had thanked GPS for their votes that has led to his appointment as the country’s 8th premier
He said Muhyiddin had expressed his gratitude during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday where GPS also told the prime minister of its aspirations.
“PM was very thankful. He said if not because of GPS, he would not become the PM,” he said.
Uggah said the meeting also discussed future plans for Sarawak in view of the current political situation.
When asked whether there was a discussion on ministerial positions, Uggah said it was just a general meeting.
“No, nothing. It was just a general meeting. He (Muhyiddin) had just started office,” he added.