Incoming PM must call for confidence vote, the King decrees

Reports by ZAKIAH KOYA, RAHIMY RAHIM, MAZWIN NIK ANIS, MUGUNTAN VANAR, ASHLEY TANG and SHARON LING

PETALING JAYA: The Member of Parliament chosen to be the next prime minister has to immediately submit a motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat to prove he has the confidence of the majority, the King has decreed.

Whoever picked to lead the Federal Government has to be chosen based on the Federal Constitution, and the people should not be burdened with political turmoil while struggling with health and economic issues due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.

Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decreed this during his audience with the heads and representatives of the political parties on Tuesday, which lasted for more than 90 minutes.

He said the King and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Nazrin Muizzudin Shah of Perak wanted to have an audience with them to state their stand on the formation of a stable government as soon as possible following the resignation of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet on Monday.

The King decreed that the MPs also have to show their solidarity to continue giving their highest commitment and service to the rakyat.

Most frontliners are already tired facing thousands of sick Covid-19 patients daily, he said, adding that existing plans, policies and programmes to combat the pandemic, including the vaccination programme, have to be maintained.

As such, Ahmad Fadil said the King decreed all 220 MPs present to him a statutory declaration before 4pm yesterday, stating who they support as prime minister.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong stressed that the statutory declaration is needed for the purpose of helping him make a decision in appointing a member of the Dewan Rakyat whom, according to his wisdom, has the confidence of the majority of Dewan Rakyat members as provided under Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.

“The King also decreed that the prime minister who has been chosen by him under Articles 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution has to immediately submit a motion of confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat to validate the fact that the person has the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat.

“The King also decreed that as the Chief of the country, he will do his best to perfect his responsibilities as the constitutional monarch grounded on the Constitution and the rule of law,” he said in a statement posted on the official Istana Negara Facebook page yesterday.

Ahmad Fadil added that the King will be chairing a special session tomorrow with the Malay Rulers to discuss current issues.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Sultan of Perak have expressed their views that this protracted political crisis has disrupted governance while the country is still under the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Both of them stressed that this political crisis and confusion have adversely impacted the nation’s economy deeply.

“Additionally, given the concerns over the well-being and safety of the rakyat, holding the 15th General Election is not the best option at this moment.

“Both of them also expressed their views that all Dewan Rakyat members need to come together to work towards unity and oneness among all political parties and to give their focus towards current issues and give clarity to the mess that has occurred as soon as possible,” he said.

Before the audience ended, Ahmad Fadil said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong reminded all political party heads and representatives that, for the sake of bringing about a harmonious environment, the MP who wins has to extend his or her hand to work together with those who were not successful.

He added that all parties should be ready to work as one team.

“In other words, those who did not win, did not win all, while those who lost did not lose all.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also expressed his hope that all the other MPs would also be able to have an audience with him from time to time,” he said.