He said there was no need for the government to obtain support from the opposition as Anwar already has the backing of 148 MPs, Sinar Harian reported.

“The prime minister has not asked anyone (to seek more support for the government). I am his deputy at the finance ministry and he has never made such a request because the government now is strong and stable,” he was quoted as saying.

Yesterday, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin said Perikatan Nasional (PN) was collecting evidence over claims that its MPs were coerced into supporting the unity government.

Ahmad rubbished the allegation, describing it as “impossible”, given the anti-hopping law in place.

“They (MPs) can state their support (for the prime minister) but if they quit their party, then it would lead to a by-election at the constituency, as per the anti-hopping law.

“The two opposition MPs from Kuala Kangsar and Labuan merely stated their support for the prime minister, but did not leave their parties,” he said.

Recently, PN’s Kuala Kangsar MP Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid and Labuan MP Suhaili Abdul Rahman expressed their support for the prime minister.

They are now facing disciplinary action from their party, Bersatu.