Saying it was “no longer needed”, the Bukit Gelugor MP said it would be better for the prime minister to instead focus on the 2023 budget set to be tabled later.

“It is clear now that he (Anwar) enjoys an overwhelming majority, in excess of 140 seats.”

Earlier this week, Anwar, in his first media conference as prime minister, said he would “test” his majority in Parliament through a vote of confidence and that his government would table a revised budget “in another month or so”.

Ramkarpal, who is also a lawyer, said Anwar’s statement that he was going to test his leadership in the lower house was made before former prime minister and Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin conceded that PH “has the numbers”.

“With Muhyiddin’s concession and confirmation that PN will provide a check and balance to the government by being in the opposition, the need for a vote of confidence by PH does not arise,” he said.