KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim passed the much-anticipated test today when he received a majority vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.
However, as only a voice vote was called by new Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul, it could not be established if Anwar received the two-thirds majority he claimed to have.
It was reported that the prime minister had garnered the support of the two-thirds majority in the Lower House, or 148 members of parliament after the leaders signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
If Anwar had managed to get the 148 support, he would be the first prime minister in almost 20 years to have a two-thirds majority support in the House.
The last sitting prime minister who enjoyed a two-thirds majority was Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after winning the general election in 2004.
According to reports, the 148 MPs who aligned themselves with the unity government are from Pakatan Harapan (82), Barisan Nasional (30), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (23), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (six), Parti Warisan (three), Parti Bangsa Malaysia (one), Social Democratic Harmony Party (two) and one independent MP.
The motion was earlier tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (GPS-Petra Jaya) who urged all MPs to adhere to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's decision and show their support for Anwar as the tenth prime minister.
"The results of the 15th General Election (GE15) had caused a hung Parliament where no single political party or coalition managed to secure a simple majority. Such a situation had never before happened in this country.
"The idea of establishing a unity government is a reflection of His Majesty's forward-looking approach as well as his concern for political stability and the people's wellbeing," Fadillah said.
During the winding-up speech on the motion of confidence, Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said defended Anwar's decision to test his majority in the Lower House today.
In response to Perikatan Nasional chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan who questioned Anwar's motive for having the motion tabled today, Azalina said the issue should not arise since the prime minister had made an application to do so through the right channels.
"If we look at New Zealand, after (its prime minister) Jacinda Ardern created a coalition government, she brought a motion of confidence into the Parliament to provide confidence and assurance to everyone that she has it (the majority)," she said.
Takiyuddin then pressed on claiming that the MoU signed between all ruling parties was illegal, unconstitutional and void.
However, Azalina quipped and said Takiyuddin should not burden himself with unnecessary feelings, adding that the MoU was done in accordance with the constitution.
"I appreciate the fact that you feel burdened by this but I would like to remind you that this MoU was signed among PH, BN GPS, GRS and others, not with Perikatan Nasional. Even Pas did not sign it.
"This (MoU) was signed between us, the 148 MPs. Although some people may want to question the setup of this Unity Government and say we should announce everything to the public, the thing is, it is really up to us on how we want to navigate this whole thing.
"You (Takiyuddin) made an accusation that some MPs were forced (to sign the MoU) but I think you didn't read the document till the end which stated that any discontent must be resolved democratically.
"It's like married people. Of course, we will only talk about our issues within the marriage at home and not display everything to the people by the roadside."