KOTA KINABALU – Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun’s assertion that a move to legitimise the appointment of the new prime minister would undermine the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s power has been panned as illogical by the United Progressive Kinabalu Party (Upko).
Its secretary-general, Nelson W. Angang, said that it is itself the king’s decree that a confidence motion be tabled in the next parliamentary sitting.
“If it is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree to have a confidence vote, then surely the attorney-general’s view that a vote of confidence would undermine the king’s power cannot be correct,” he said in a statement today.
Angang was commenting on Idrus’ statement yesterday that the appointment of the prime minister and formation of the government were done according to the law, rendering any confidence motion moot.
“If the appointment of a new prime minister still requires legitimisation by any parties other than His Majesty, this means that His Majesty’s absolute power can be overcome by others,” Idrus had said.
“Such a move is inconsistent with the provisions of the federal constitution. It also negates His Majesty’s powers as enshrined in the federal constitution.”
On August 18, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had decreed that the newly appointed prime minister must immediately test his legitimacy of majority support among Dewan Rakyat members by tabling a vote of confidence in the august House.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri took his oath of office on August 21.
Angang said that, if the view of the attorney-general is taken, then there would never be a time for a motion of confidence to be appropriately tabled in Parliament.
“With respect to the AG’s view, his logic would not be the correct understanding and appreciation of the situation as, once the prime minister has been sworn in, the authority and tenure of his office is legitimised and secured.
“As such, a motion of a vote of confidence (or no confidence) after a prime minister had been sworn in is legally a test on whether he still commands the majority support on his leadership because the moment after he had been sworn in, his decision-making and qualities as a leader would be scrutinised.
“The confidence and support by the members of the house could have changed after this. It has nothing to do with undermining the power and discretion of the king,” he said.
Upko is the newest member of Pakatan Harapan (PH), with its entry into the opposition coalition announced on August 26.
Earlier today, the PH presidential council had expressed astonishment at Idrus’ statement that there is no need to legitimise the new premier’s appointment.
In a statement today, the council reminded Idrus that the king decreed for a vote of confidence to be held on the new prime minister.
The statement noted that Idrus himself was present during the audience with the Agong in which His Majesty had decreed for the confidence motion. – Bernama, September 5, 2021
