PETALING JAYA: Did top opposition leaders lie following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's denial of a possible PM comeback, says Datuk Seri Najib Razak

       "Does this mean Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal lied and slandered Muhyiddin,who allegedly wanted to topple Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to return as the prime minister," the Pekan MP said.

       Najib also questioned whether Muhyiddin's denial meant that he did not succeed in obtaining the needed majority to be the premier again.

       He then dared Muhyiddin to prove that he had the support to be the prime minister again.

       "You might not get 119 now, but try to push the button," said Najib, referring to Shafie's allegation that Muhyiddin claimed to have had the backing of 119 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

       "After the 15th General Election, you might have 222," added Najib referring to the 222-seat Parliament.

       On Sunday (June 5) evening, Muhyiddin denied that he was attempting to return as the premier, saying that he met with leaders from various political parties except Barisan Nasional, in seeking an electoral pact to take on GE15.

       Muhyiddin said the unofficial meetings with political leaders came following the Johor state election in March, which saw Barisan clinching a two-thirds majority.

       He said he took the initiative to reach out to political leaders in order to exchange opinions regarding the one-on-one formula.

       At an event in Libaran, Sandakan on Sunday (May 29), Shafie claimed that Muhyiddin – the Bersatu president and Perikatan Nasional chairman – told him that he had the backing of 119 MPs in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat.

       Shafie also claimed that he discussed the matter with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who he said was agreeable to supporting Muhyiddin.

       "I told him (Muhyiddin), if you have the numbers, go ahead, I won't follow you," Shafie said in Libaran.

       Dr Mahathir also told a press conference on April 1 that Muhyiddin had sought the Langkawi MP's support to be premier again.

       Following Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional's disastrous outings in two state elections - Melaka, Johor - there has been divided opinion among political parties that a united front was needed to take on Barisan.

       In the Johor elections last month, Barisan led the popular vote with 599,753 votes, followed by Perikatan 334,457 and Pakatan's 284,969.

       Similarly in the Melaka state election last November, Barisan led the popular vote with 599,753 votes, followed by Perikatan 334,457 and Pakatan's 284,969.

       However, political parties were also split on prospects of forming an electoral pact, due to the slew of defections that took place following the former Pakatan government's collapse in the Sheraton Move in Feb 2020.

       Muhyiddin had served as a premier for 17 months in March 2020, but he tendered his resignation in August after a group of Umno MPs led by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, withdrew support for him.

       Ismail Sabri was subsequently appointed as the prime minister.