KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he remained the prime minister and Perikatan Nasional was still the government until Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can substantiate his claim of securing a large enough majority to take over.

In a statement acknowledging Anwar’s claim this afternoon, Muhyiddin said the latter’s assertion must be validated through "processes and procedures set under the Federal Constitution”.

"Until proven otherwise, the Perikatan Nasional government still stands strong, and I am the legitimate prime minister,” the Pagoh MP said.

"Without going through the necessary processes, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement is a mere claim.”

Muhyiddin then urged the country to remain calm in the face of this development, and expressed confidence that the Federal Constitution would provide the necessary guidance to resolve the matter.

Muhyiddin and PN came to power in March after the Pakatan Harapan administration collapsed two years into its term.

In a hurriedly called press conference at the Le Meridien hotel this afternoon, Anwar claimed to have majority support among MPs to take over the government.

He said he would seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong soon.

At the press conference, Anwar declined to identify the lawmakers he claimed to be in his camp pending his meeting with the Agong.

However, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has been admitted to the National Heart Institute and the audience Anwar sought has since been postponed.

Anwar further asserted that his majority was "formidable” and not the slim advantage that Muhyiddin’s coalition held in Parliament.

Anwar also said he would welcome Muhyiddin to join his administration in any capacity the latter wishes, and that he did not have a "personal issue” with Muhyiddin who replaced Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the prime minister in March.