KUALA LUMPUR:The Pakatan Harapan (PH) Presidential Council has urged the government to give priority and expedite the no-confidence motion brought by MPs in the Dewan Rakyat sitting that is now convening until December 17.

The stand was stated in a joint statement by PKR President, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today.

According to the statement, the stance was made following the Presidential Council receiving a report on the latest political developments in Perak as well as the lowering of Malaysia’s rating from AAA- to BBB+ by Fitch Ratings on December 4.

"This is a great blow to the government, especially the Finance Minister.

“It shows the failure of policy planning and government governance, a continuation of the political uncertainties that have dragged on since the change of government in March.

"The impact of this downgrade on the country's economy has yet to be fully determined.

“But what is clear is that the measures taken by the Finance Minister over the years have failed to give confidence until the occurrence of this fairly serious downgrade.

"The Prime Minister should uphold the principles of transparency and good governance with the implementation of measures such as open tenders and the appointment of professionals instead of politicians into government-linked companies (GLCs), among others.

“Unfortunately, this does not happen under the current administration," they said in the statement.

Therefore, the PH Presidential Council is of the opinion that the motion is important in order to end the speculation related to political uncertainty, revive economic growth and restore confidence in the administration of the country.

"The PH Presidential Council is of the view that the government should expedite and prioritise the no-confidence motion that MPs have brought in the Dewan Rakyat sitting which takes place until December 17," they said.