Abang Johari, who is chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Sarawak premier, said he was “not dumb enough to be plunged into the political mess” in West Malaysia, the Borneo Post reported.

“I’ve read (the media reports) and I saw my name in them, alleging that I could be appointed as prime minister. But I know my capability (and limits),” he said at a townhall session to mark his seventh anniversary as premier.

“Our country is based on democracy, and when elections are held and the results are in, we should accept the results,” he said. “We in GPS believe that politics must be kept in order.”

He reiterated his call for Anwar Ibrahim to continue as prime minister until the end of his term.

Abang Johari, who is not an MP, added that even if the opposition backed him for the top post, he would not have sufficient support to lead the government. “It really doesn’t make sense,” he was quoted as saying.

GPS has 23 MPs while the opposition comprises Perikatan Nasional’s 69 MPs and Muda’s sole representative in Parliament. Five Bersatu MPs declared support for Anwar’s government last year.

The Federal Constitution dictates that an MP requires the support of at least 112 MPs of the 222-member Dewan Rakyat in order to become prime minister.

As part of the “Dubai Move”, the opposition was said to have offered the prime minister’s post to someone from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, the main component of GPS. Sarawak was also promised greater autonomy if GPS retracted support for Anwar.