KUALA LUMPUR: The Perikatan Nasional government remains a valid ruling coalition despite commanding a thin majority, analysts said.
While PN has the support of only 111 members of parliament from the current total of 220, the situation has yet to be considered a constitutional crisis, Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said.
"We have a minority government with the highest number (of MPs) in the Dewan Rakyat.
"There is no doubt that PN is a minority government, but it still holds the majority (number of seats in the house).
"The opposition bloc is still divided, with Pakatan Harapan and the others having yet to form a united front that can challenge the current government's majority."
Sivamurugan pointed out that the appointment of a prime minister remains the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as stipulated under Article 43 of the Federal Constitution.
"Thus, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is still the legitimate prime minister until he gets the indication that he has lost the majority officially, not via media or by individuals who claim otherwise based on their observations."
The Dewan Rakyat, which has 222 parliamentary seats, now has only 220 filled after the deaths of Batu Sapi MP Datuk Liew Vui Keong and Gerik MP Datuk Hasbullah Osman last year.
Nevertheless, Sivamurugan warned that Umno might continue with its overtures to erode PN's majority and end up leaving the government en bloc.
"If this happens, the government may collapse. But if a new realignment (through a grand coalition) is formed with other parties excluding Umno or BN, then the government can continue to function."
When asked if the opposition could now claim that the current government had collapsed, Sivamurugan said it would depend on PH's ability to prove its command of a majority.
Universiti Malaya's Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the king had already said that he disagreed with the country going for a general election during this pandemic.
"It means he won't dissolve Parliament."
When asked if the country could see a change in government again before the current parliamentary term ends, Awang Azman did not discount the possibility.
"If political leaders continue attacking each other, it could lead to a new realignment or the so-called grand coalition. Should this happen, we can see the formation of another government during the Covid-19 outbreak."
Last year, the defections of several MPs from the then PH government led to the formation of the PN administration, less than two years after PH won the 14th General Election.
Last week, Umno's Supreme Council approved a motion to sever ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, which would be raised during its party assembly on Jan 31.
Umno is also adamant about having the 15th General Election before the end of the first quarter of the year.