Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today claimed that he has garnered “formidable and convincing” support from among members of Parliament (MPs) to form a new government to replace the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

He said he had also received consent to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Tuesday, but the audience was postponed after His Majesty was admitted to the National Heart Institute for treatment.

“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), I have garnered strong, convincing support of MPs for me to present (my case) to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“This strong and convincing support means that, at this moment, the government of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has fallen,” he told a packed news conference at a hotel here today.

Without stating the number of MPs who he claimed are backing him, Anwar, who is also the Opposition Leader, said they were mostly Malay and Muslim.

Describing the support as indisputable, Anwar said all their details and next moves will be revealed after his audience with the King.

When asked if there was a possibility of a new coalition to be formed to replace PN, Anwar said: “Of course there will be a new coalition with the new partners. With their support, we will discuss new arrangements and agreements.

“We want to form a strong government and reject all forms of injustice.”

On the possibility of forging a cooperation with Muhyiddin to form the new coalition, the Port Dickson MP said he welcomed it if the latter was willing to cooperate and join him.

“I don’t have any personal issue with him. His willingness to cooperate will help ensure a peaceful change and proper transition, that is if he is prepared to serve in any position deemed suitable,” he said.

On Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s participation, Anwar said, so far, none of the Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) leaders had shown any support for him.

The PKR president also stressed that his announcement today had nothing to do with the ongoing Sabah state election.

“Sabah state election is an ongoing election. It has nothing to do with my announcement.

“I made this announcement after getting an undisputable number (of support) and after sending the letter to the King. In fact, (Wan) Azizah and I already received the consent to have an audience with His Majesty yesterday.

“If based on our plan, the announcement should have been made yesterday…so, it has nothing to do with other current development,” he added.

-- BERNAMA