It is possible that some MPs are in disagreement with the leaders of their parties, according to Azmi Hassan, Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia and Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya.
Speaking to FMT, Azmi claimed to have knowledge that at least two PAS MPs were backing Anwar although the party’s deputy president may have said that none from PAS was doing so.
After a royal audience yesterday, Anwar said the King would be calling up leaders from several parties in the next few days.
Referring to the Istana Negara statement released after the audience, Azmi said it showed the Agong wanted stability as the country was recording a surge in Covid-19 cases.
He said the King might let the matter be settled in Parliament for the MPs to table a vote of confidence.
Azizuddin agreed with Azmi and said it was conceivable that some MPs may not be in agreement with their party leaders.
Azmi also noted that it was Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and not the party’s president who was the first to meet the King after Anwar’s audience at Istana Negara.
Awang Azman said it was possible the King had called Tengku Razaleigh for an audience because he saw him as a neutral party.
“He is also considered the most experienced in the party and the main reference for Umno as there are several blocs in the party,” he said.
He agreed with Azmi that the matter might be decided by a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.
Commenting on Anwar’s failure to submit to the King a list of MPs supporting him, Azmi said the list Anwar claimed he had might have been outdated, with some MPs having withdrawn their support.
He said a lot might have changed since Sept 23, when Anwar announced he had the numbers to form a new government.
“If he submits the documents and even one or two retract their support, the whole list could be in question.”
Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he did not know Tengku Razaleigh would meet the King until he learnt of it from the media.
The purpose of the audience remains unclear.
Several MPs associated with Perikatan Nasional have denied they are supporting Anwar but Zahid has said some MPs from Umno were indeed backing him.