Larry Sng, Steven Choong defect to support Muhyiddin

Two PKR MPs - Julau's Larry Sng and Tebrau's Steven Choong - have decided to leave the party and support the Perikatan Nasional government of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin as independents.

"Today I received the statutory declarations (SD) of support from two opposition MPs who expressed support for the PN government," said Muhyiddin in a brief statement on his Facebook.

"The Affidavit by Julau MP Larry Sng Wei Shien and Tebrau MP Steven Choong Shiau Yoon was signed and handed over to me after meeting of the cabinet in conjunction with the PN government having spent one year in Putrajaya.

"God willing, this support will certainly strengthen the PN government in its efforts and planning to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and catalyse the country's economic revival," said the prime minister.

The two MPs were seen in photographs presenting Muhyiddin with the SDs at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre this afternoon.

Also seen in the photographs were PN's Bersatu ministers Mohamad Azmin Ali, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Hamzah Zainudin and Saifuddin Abdullah, as well as PAS minister Takiyuddin Hassan.

When contacted, Saifuddin, who confirmed he witnessed their pledge for support, said it is a significant move in helping PN's administration.

"Especially when the administration is working very hard to find the right balance between lives and livelihood," he told Malaysiakini.

Notably, there was no representative from Umno which is the coalition's largest party but has been at loggerheads with Muhyiddin's Bersatu party.

This afternoon, Malaysiakini reported that Sng had left PKR and informed his colleagues in PKR Sarawak of the decision.

Neither Sng and Choong have replied to Malaysiakini's messages and calls.

Yesterday, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution had said that due to a possible resumption of Parliament, certain parties have stepped up their efforts to convince opposition MPs to jump ship.

He said the move was being made because the current government has lost the support of the majority in Parliament following the withdrawal of support of three Umno MPs, and has now been told by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that a parliamentary session can be held even while the emergency is in force.

"The party is aware that there are moves underway to weaken the strength of the people's representatives, especially opposition MPs, including from PKR.

"It can be related to (threatened action like) income tax issues, police investigations and MACC probes or (incentives) like project offers and GLC positions," Saifuddin said.

Earlier, Hizwan Ahmad, Zuraida's political secretary told Malaysiakini that Sng and Choong were remaining as independents and not submitting any party forms.

He also posted the photographs on Facebook with the words: "After one year of evaluating the performance of the Government, today two PKR MP's decided to support Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister.

"Congratulations Julau and Tebrau.

"Towards a stable government and a safe country. PN is legitimately for all Malaysians."