KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reportedly challenged those behind an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the federal government to call for a confidence vote against him during the coming parliamentary sitting on May 22 instead.

The challenge came as Anwar said he needed to put a stop to talks of toppling the unity government, which could sabotage and destabilise the federal administration.

"I challenge those who want to topple the unity government. I will face you all, bring the motion during the Parliament sitting but with one condition — let this be the last [effort to overthrow the government], so that we can focus on developing the country,” he said in a report published by The Star.

The Tambun MP said this during his speech at the Malaysia Madani Open House held at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Permatang Pauh campus in Bukit Mertajam.

Anwar was responding to talks about a concerted effort by the Opposition to topple him and the unity government.

The English daily also quoted Anwar warning his detractors not to sabotage the federal government and pledged that the unity government will take action without compromise.

Anwar explained that he chose to face his detractors in Parliament to prove his legitimacy, unlike previous prime ministers.

He added that the unity government he led is still strong with the support of 148 MPs and the current administration was still intact.

Anwar’s comments were believed to be in reference to a recent news portal report stating that a group of Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs, who previously supported Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for prime minister after the 15th general election (GE15), were involved in a plot to overthrow the unity government by quitting their seats and forcing by-elections.

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has since said not even one of its MPs will vacate their seat to attempt to destabilise and topple the Anwar administration.

Rumours about a plot to overthrow Anwar’s unity government have since gained traction over the last few days, fuelled by a meeting held between Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who agreed to collaborate in a movement to establish a Malay political dominance.

Earlier today, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu refuted rumours that PN has gathered statutory declarations from 126 MPs expressing their support for the coalition.