KUALA LUMPUR – The updates on any Dewan Rakyat matter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong should come from the prime minister and not the speaker, says Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon.
He expressed his bemusement at a media report supposedly claiming that the king had served a letter to the speaker’s office seeking clarification on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s support.
While he is uncertain if Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun had indeed received such a letter, Rashid said if it is true, this would go against age-long precedence.
“There has not been any precedent where the Agong would directly communicate with the speaker on parliamentary affairs,” he told The Vibes.
“That is why I have to ask about this report claiming as such, because how can His Majesty direct his questions to the Yang di-Pertua (speaker).
“According to procedure, when Parliament is in session, whatever happens inside the Dewan, the leader of the House (prime minister) will report to the Agong himself, including on his majority support.
“This doesn’t come from the speaker. It cannot. That is the procedure,” he added.
Malaysiakini had earlier reported that Istana Negara had sent a letter to Azhar on August 9 seeking confirmation on the number of MPs in support of Muhyiddin, amid strong claims that the prime minister has lost his majority.
The portal quoted a source, confirming the validity of the letter.
According to the report, the document, which was signed by Royal Household Comptroller Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, noted a separate letter sent by Azhar dated August 3, which revealed that 106 MPs were backing Muhyiddin at the time.
However, the palace number fell after two Umno cabinet members resigned from their posts on August 4 and 6.
The letter went on to say that there has been no official report given by Azhar on the matter, and as such, is requesting that the speaker update the king on the figure, for further action.
Azhar was supposedly told to respond to the letter by 2pm, August 10.
Last week, more than a dozen Umno MPs withdrew their support for Muhyiddin, effectively causing him to lose majority support in Parliament, a matter that was also raised by the Agong to the prime minister during their weekly audience yesterday. – The Vibes, August 12, 2021
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