Nazri becomes second Umno MP to revoke support for PN

Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz today became the second Umno MP to revoke his support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, as a state of emergency takes effect to prevent political disruptions in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is a decision that I had thought about for some time and it is the best for my party,” Nazri, who in the past expressed public support for PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim, told reporters today.

He admitted that his move would not force an election, but said it would mean that the PN bloc is left with the support of 109 MPs.

His decision comes days after Umno’s Machang MP Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub announced he was no longer supporting PN, in the wake of a campaign by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to quit the ruling coalition.

At a meeting on Jan 5 attended by a little more than half of the 191 division leaders nationwide, Zahid had urged Umno MPs to revoke their support for PN by February so that snap polls could be held as soon as possible.

He repeated complaints that the PN government had sidelined Umno, and that it was not looking after the people’s welfare.

He also urged all ministers from Umno to resign, and those holding top posts in government-linked companies to give up their positions by next month.