KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has rubbished rumours that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is delaying a confidence vote so as to secure support from Pakatan Harapan to form a minority government.
In a social media post, she slammed talk that the prime minister aims to get backing from the opposition pact via a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) as baseless.
The possibility of a minority government forming arises only if Muhyiddin resigns, she said.
“Can PM8 (Muhyiddin) seek Agong’s permission to form a minority government? The short answer is no.
“Not for now, not before PM8 resigns, and not before the possibility of another or new majority bloc, i.e. Coalition Government 2.0, is exhausted.”
In the event that there is a majority bloc in Parliament, she said, it must be allowed to present an MP who likely commands the majority.
Only in a hung Parliament situation – where there is no majority bloc – can the Agong use his discretion to invite the previous prime minister to offer himself as head of a minority government with a CSA.
“Since the federal constitution is silent on the option of a minority government, let’s not be overhasty!” said Azalina.
The Pengerang lawmaker, however, warned that a minority government, too, will face obstacles when it comes to passing laws and bringing about policy changes.
The flexibility of CSAs only assures support for an explicit motion of importance, such as the national Budget or certain types of legislation, she said.
She added that a minority government is vastly different from a coalition government that operates based on shared policies and agendas.
“With a coalition government, there is greater demand for a strict interpretation of coalition partners’ expectations, set in a written agreement that includes the terms for entry and exit, and procedures for conflict resolution.
“Coalition members can’t pull the plug as and when they wish. They can do so only within the terms of the written agreement.”
Muhyiddin never entered into such an agreement with Perikatan Nasional parties, she said.
Amid rumours of a temporary Muhyiddin-PH alliance, the coalition in a statement today expressed its backing for opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a candidate for prime minister. – The Vibes, August 13, 2021
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