“I want to congratulate a minister who stood firm in his principles and resigned. This seldom happens in this country,” said the opposition leader in a video live-streamed on his Facebook page.

“Some people who have positions will defend it to their death,” said the PKR president, adding that it was undeniable that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had lost his parliamentary majority. Muhyiddin has refused to resign, saying he still has the majority.

Anwar said that while “everyone” knew Muhyiddin had lost his parliamentary majority, many were not brave enough to voice this out because they wanted to hold on to their positions.

Shamsul, the Lenggong MP, became the first Umno minister to quit Muhyiddin’s government.

His resignation follows the recent controversy over the emergency ordinances, which prompted calls from Umno leaders for Muhyiddin to step down as prime minister.

After de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan revealed that ordinances were revoked on July 21, the Palace then confirmed the revocation had not received royal assent – intensifying the pressure on Muhyiddin to resign.

Since then, it is understood that at least 11 MPs have made declarations that have been sent to the King that they were withdrawing their support for the prime minister.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also said that all party MPs must withdraw their support for Muhyiddin following the controversy over the emergency ordinances.

Shamsul’s resignation also came amid deputy prime minister and Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s claim that 40 MPs from Barisan Nasional backed the Muhyiddin-led government.