PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister and his Cabinet still hold executive power under the Constitution, says Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun.

       He said according to Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, the determination of whether or not an individual has the confidence of the majority shall be made by the members of the Dewan Rakyat themselves, not based on statements by any political party.

       Referring to a media statement by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Idrus said it was made by a political party which is a component of the government coalition as appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong pursuant to Article 43(1) and (2) of the Federal Constitution.

       "At this moment, the government does not have any clear facts to show that the Prime Minister no longer commands the majority of the members of the Dewan Rakyat," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 8).

       "Therefore, based on the law, the Prime Minister and the current Cabinet will clearly remain and continue to exercise its federal executive powers," added Idrus.

       Ahmad Zahid had announced that the party would withdraw its support for the Prime Minister after a virtual supreme council meeting on Wednesday night that stretched till the early hours of Thursday.

       Ahmad Zahid said the withdrawal of support came because Muhyiddin had not fulfilled seven requirements outlined by Umno when the government was sworn in on March 11 last year.