“One minister was shocked. I think most were unaware of what the PM’s inner circle had proposed.

“This could lead to the Umno ministers pulling out. I am hearing talk that they might even push him to resign and make way for someone within the coalition to take over.”

The source said another PM candidate could sway Umno to remain in government.

Muhyiddin’s overtures were made yesterday evening in a televised address in a bid to keep his administration intact as doubts continue to grow over the majority the Bersatu president commands in the Dewan Rakyat.

This includes a framework for bipartisan political cooperation, including equal annual allocations for all MPs, regardless of their political affiliation.

Muhyiddin also mooted for the opposition leader to be given the status of a senior minister in recognition of the role played by the opposition.

The opposition and Umno have since spurned these offers, while PAS is opposed to working with DAP.

According to reports, 15 MPs from Umno had withdrawn support for Muhyiddin and his administration, either through public or statutory declarations, leaving the governing coalition with only about 100 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.