Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin poses for a photograph during an event. File photo

The biggest party in Malaysia's ruling alliance declared on Tuesday that embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has lost the right to govern because a number of its lawmakers have signed declarations withdrawing their support.

Muhyiddin said on Wednesday he continued to command majority support among lawmakers, defying mounting calls from some of his own allies and the opposition for him to step down.

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"I have informed the king that I have received a number of declarations from lawmakers that convinced me that I still have the confidence of the majority of lawmakers at this time," Muhyiddin said in a televised address to the nation.

The announcement by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) was followed by the resignation of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, who is from the party.

Muhyiddin took power in March 2020 after initiating the collapse of the former reformist government that won 2018 elections. His party joined hands with UMNO and several others to form a new government but with a razor-thin majority.

UMNO, which has 38 lawmakers, earlier said it would pull its support for Muhyiddin, but some party lawmakers still back the prime minister.

UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared Tuesday that Muhyiddin's government has fallen because enough of the party’s lawmakers have signed declarations withdrawing their support for it. He said at a news conference that the declarations were presented to the king to show Muhyiddin has lost majority support and the legitimacy to rule.

Muhyiddin said he will seek a vote on his legitimacy when parliament reconvenes in September and that the Southeast Asian nation's king had agreed with his suggestion.

Muhyiddin has been under growing pressure to quit after King Al-Sultan Abdullah last week issued a rare rebuke of a government move to revoke emergency laws without his approval, an act the palace said ran counter to the constitution.