The United Malays National Organization said it is officially withdrawing its support for the Perikatan Nasional government. The political party also called on the resignation of its leader Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Thursday at an online conference that Muhyiddin's government had failed to live up to its promises. Ahmad Zahid said the party only promised to support Muhyiddin if his government could fulfill two major guidelines as determined by the supreme council last year.
"It's obvious that the government had failed in managing the country's economy, the pandemic and in fulfilling the aspirations of the people," Ahmad Zahid said.
Ahmad Zahid said the government clearly failed to fulfill those guidelines. He said the government also failed in seven key aspects such as its failure to manage the pandemic, its misuse of the nation's state of emergency for political purposes and its failure to defend the country's parliamentary democracy.
Ahmad Zahid said the decision to withdraw support was made through a unanimous decision by party members at the UMNO's 2020 Annual General Meeting. He said the party is also calling on Muhyiddin to step down as prime minister immediately.
"UMNO urges Muhyiddin Yasin to withdraw honorably to enable a new prime minister to be appointed for a limited period," Ahmad Zahid said.
Ahmad Zahid said the new prime minister will be tasked with focusing on efforts to support the people's welfare throughout the crisis. The new prime minister will also be leading efforts to accelerate the nation's vaccination program.
Ahmad Zahid said the party will not support opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's bid for prime minister and bids from the Democratic Action Party.
Earlier in the week, Muhyiddin announced that he would be reshuffling his Cabinet. He promoted senior minister for defense Ismail Sabri Yaakob to deputy prime minister. Foreign affairs minister, Hishammuddin Hussein was promoted to senior minister as well.
Since taking power, Muhyiddin has struggled to shore up support for his administration, which has faced constant opposition. In January, he imposed a state of emergency and suspended parliament, preventing his opponents from filing a no-confidence motion against him.
