KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 24): Eleven MPs have exited Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and the Pakatan Harapan coalition to form an independent bloc in the Dewan Rakyat, led by PKR president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The latest development came on the heels of the resignation of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister, and the exit of his political party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) from the ruling coalition.

The other 10 who left are: PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin (MP for Ampang), Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Baru Bian (Selangau), Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar (Bandar Tun Razak), Datuk Mansor Othman (Nibong Tebal), Datuk Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat), Datuk Seri Santhara Kumar (Segamat), Ali Biju (Saratok), Willie Mongin (Puncak Borneo) and Jonathan Yasin (Ranau).

The announcement was made in a joint statement.

Azmin, the MP for Gombak, has previously openly supported Dr Mahathir to remain as prime minister until the end of his tenure by the 15th General Election.

The exodus means PKR is now left with 39 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

PPBM, whose president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said had also exited Pakatan Harapan as of yesterday, currently holds 26 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

The exit of the two sides now leaves PH with 102 MPs (including Parti Warisan Sabah), less than the required 112 seats to form the federal government — meaning it could trigger a new general election.

Talks of a new coalition being mooted by parties aligned to Dr Mahathir have been fuelled by last night’s high-level meeting between PPBM and a faction in PKR with opposition coalition Barisan Nasional and PAS.

On Friday, after the PH presidential council meeting, Dr Mahathir said he would decide later about his tenure as PM, as opposed to giving a firm date for the power transition to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as requested by certain quarters in the coalition.