Speaker Azhar tells Ku Li motion of no confidence not a priority (updated)

PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun says government business takes precedence over private members’ bills in the August House after Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh urged him to allow a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Azhar said such a motion was not unique to the system practised in the country.

He added that any motion brought before him or the Dewan Rakyat secretary must be made in accordance with the Standing Orders and existing laws.

“In fact, the system practised in Australia is almost similar to our practice where a motion of no-confidence vote will not be expedited unless it is taken up by a minister, ” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 14).

In a letter dated Sep 25 that was released to the public, Tengku Razaleigh urged Azhar to allow a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister to be debated in the Dewan Rakyat.

“A vote of no confidence is extremely important for several constitutional reasons, including the validity of the government under the leadership of the Prime Minister,” he had said in the letter which referred to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir’s no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin.

Tengku Razaleigh also cited Article 43 of the Federal Constitution which states that a sitting prime minister must obtain the confidence of the Dewan Rakyat as a prerequisite for him to officially helm the post.

Dr Mahathir, in a letter dated May 4, proposed to move a motion under the Dewan Rakyat's Standing Order 26(1), read together with Standing Order 27(3), to put forward a resolution to decide that Muhyiddin did not enjoy the support of the majority of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

In his reply, Azhar had said Rule 15 of Parliament’s Standing Orders states that government business was to be prioritised above all other matters.

He also told Tengku Razaleigh to consult with de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan on getting the no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin to be tabled and debated.

Azhar said that he was bound by the rules of the Dewan Rakyat and did not have any problem to consider such motions if all government affairs were completed or if there was a motion by a minister under Regulation 14 (2) to prioritise such private motions.

“As has been explained, all of my decisions as the Speaker regarding the priority of any motions follows the rules of the Dewan Rakyat, ” he said.