PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Hamzah’s statement was “premature, impossible, and inconclusive” when Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi earlier said any declarations signed by BN MPs were invalid.

Saifuddin said PH was in “serious negotiations” with BN on forming the government.

“The negotiations are focusing on main issues that involve political stability and economic recovery, prioritising the people and nation’s interests.

“At the same time, we take note of Hishammuddin Hussein’s clarification that he did not issue a statement saying 10 Umno MPs backed Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister.”

Earlier, Hamzah said PN had submitted statutory declarations from 112 MPs to Istana Negara, declaring their support for Muhyiddin to become the 10th prime minister.

PN won 73 seats in the general election, but Muhyiddin said on Saturday night he had secured enough support to become the prime minister, hinting that he was able to draw on support from Barisan Nasional MPs.

Party leaders and heads of coalitions are to propose a prime ministerial candidate by 2pm tomorrow after BN sought an extension to the deadline.

Speculation is rife that BN and Pakatan Harapan are set to jointly form the federal government after the Perak chapters of the two coalitions reached an agreement to form the Perak state government.

We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.