PETALING JAYA: With the Federal Constitution requiring only a Member of Parliament with the most support to become prime minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) says this opens up the possibility of a non-Malay Muslim qualifying for the post.
The Perikatan Nasional chairman said although the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the discretion to appoint a prime minister, the King must observe the main rule of that person commanding majority support among MPs.
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On top of that, he said the current political scenario has also changed post-GE15 where no single coalition has the majority to form the government on its own.
"In the past, the system guaranteed that the Malays would become Prime Minister. But with the political changes that are happening rapidly in our country, this guarantee is no longer there," the Bersatu president said in a statement on Friday (Dec 15).
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"With the plan to redelineate certain constituencies, (DAP may end up having) a bigger voice in determining who becomes prime minister in the future.
"Umno, which used to be dominant, has become a small party in a political alliance that is dominated by DAP. Whatever DAP demands, Umno has to follow," he claimed.
Article 43(2)(a) of the Constitution states that the King may appoint an MP as prime minister if, in His Majesty's opinion, that person commands the confidence of the majority of Dewan Rakyat members.
The Constitution, however, makes no mention that the person with the most support must be a Malay or a Muslim.
On Thursday (Dec 14), Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the Constitution should be amended so that only a Malay Muslim can helm the premiership.
He made the call after DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang wrote a blog entry on Nov 30 saying that the Constitution provides that a non-Malay can be prime minister.
However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday there was no need for the Constitution to be amended since the top post will always go to a Malay.
