KUALA LUMPUR: A big chunk of Umno and Barisan Nasional members of parliament have voiced their support for Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form a new government, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
In a curious statement today, Zahid said that he "respects" the decision made by his own MPs to leave the political pact he is helming and jump to the other side.
The Bagan Datuk MP also reiterated BN's stand that it was not part of the loose Perikatan Nasional coalition.
"The support for PN is only extended by (BN) MPs.
"Umno and BN are unable to stop our MPs from making their own decision to support Anwar who wishes to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to air his desire (to form a new government).
"I was told that a big chunk of Umno and BN MPs have voiced their support. I respect the decision made by these MPs," he said in a short statement today.
Earlier in the afternoon, Anwar said he had a solid majority in the Dewan Rakyat and claimed that as of this moment, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had lost his position as prime minister and that the PN government had "collapsed".