KUALA LUMPUR: The question of whether Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will step down as Prime Minister will be answered tomorrow when the Pagoh member of parliament meets the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof confirmed that Muhyiddin has expressed the intention to hand in his resignation to the king.
"He knows he has already lost the majority and he wants to follow the Federal Constitution.
"It is unfortunate that it is happening now during a pandemic but I am sure the wisdom of the palace will decide whether to accept or not to accept (Muhyiddin's resignation).
"I believe the Prime Minister will have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before noon, right after a short cabinet meeting in the morning. We'll see what happens then," he told the New Straits Times today.
Earlier, Redzuan told Berita Harian Muhyiddin will tender his resignation as Malaysia's prime minister to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara tomorrow.
"Yes, it is true on the resignation (as the prime minister)… tomorrow," Redzuan said.
Meanwhile, the Alor Gajah MP said the "distasteful" political games employed by the "Umno court cluster" is frustrating as it is affecting the nation and its people in the fight against Covid-19.
Redzuan also reiterated Muhyiddin's allegation that some MPs who are part of the Umno court cluster had "demanded interference" from the Prime Minister.
"Because of Muhyiddin's defiance not to bow to their pressure, those people in the court cluster decided to leave (Perikatan Nasional government).
"This is excessive politicking during a pandemic. The actions of these people are regrettable. They should answer to the people of Malaysia for acting distastefully in causing an untimely collapse of a government."
Asked if he expects the current constitutional crisis would be a repeat of last year's Sheraton Move where the country had to begin all over again with a new prime minister, Cabinet and directions, Redzuan did not discount the possibility.
"It looks like it will be the same cycle as before. This is costing too much and it is very unproductive. Looks like we are (starting all over again), at least for a short term before the 15th General Election (GE15).
"I am very frustrated. We are in the middle of a lot of work and there are (policies) being implemented. We were talking about narrowing the income gap, the Shared Prosperity Vision, new initiatives and now, it's all in jeopardy," he told the NST.
After the Sheraton Move last year, several Pakatan Harapan MPs (now in PN) left the coalition, causing the collapse of the 22-months PH government.
The then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made the decision to resign after it was evident that he had lost the support of several MPs from the PH coalition.
However, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong then appointed Dr Mahathir as the interim prime minister before a new government could be formed.
During last year's Dewan Rakyat sitting, the king revealed that he had asked the Langkawi MP not to resign "but he (Dr Mahathir) was firm in his decision".