KUCHING: Parliament should reconvene urgently for a vote of confidence to determine the next prime minister following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation, says Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).

       "PSB wishes to state its stand that the person who is to be appointed as the new prime minister must be the one who commands the support of a majority of the members of the Dewan Rakyat by way of a vote of confidence taken in the House," the party said in a statement on Monday (Aug 16).

       It said such support could not be expressed through statutory declarations or personal pledges from political party leaders.

       As such, PSB, which has two MPs and is with the Opposition, said a vote of confidence must be taken as Malaysia needed strong leadership at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic was "raging out of control" in the country.

       Muhyiddin tendered his resignation as prime minister and that of his Cabinet to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier Monday as he no longer commanded majority support among MPs.

       The King has appointed Muhyiddin as caretaker Prime Minister to continue running the country's administration until a new premier and Cabinet are appointed.