In dismissing claims that Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid had been pressured to support the government, Zahid said that Iskandar, who is MP for Kuala Kangsar, did not discuss the matter with Anwar.

“Neither did he call or meet the prime minister,” he told reporters after the tabling of the 2024 budget.

Zahid also said that Iskandar had backed the current government without quitting his party, Bersatu.

“He did so in his personal capacity,” said Zahid in response to an allegation by Perikatan Nasional that Iskandar was pressured into supporting Anwar to help the government regain a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin claimed that Iskandar had been intimidated and threatened into supporting Anwar.

He claimed that Iskandar was visited by a prominent businessman, believed to be closely linked to Anwar, who had promised monetary rewards and positions in several companies in return for supporting the prime minister.

Hamzah also claimed that Iskandar was brought to meet a top official of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and threatened with corruption charges if he refused to sign a media statement stating his support for the government.

In dismissing the claim, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the government already has a comfortable majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

Yesterday, Iskandar said he decided to support the government after considering the urgent need to address the rising cost of living in his constituency. He however said he would remain with Bersatu.