KOTA KINABALU – Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will test his legitimacy as prime minister when the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes this month, as this was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree, said Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The former Sabah chief minister, who does not want to dispute Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun’s call that there is no need for a vote of confidence, said that this is important to ensure the government is transparent and has the people’s support.
“I’m not going to dispute the AG, but this was decreed by the Yang-di Pertuan Agong. This is a confidence vote, not a vote of no confidence.
“But what we already know is that the Agong decided to go for the statutory declaration (SD) method. He had asked for all the MPs to submit their SDs and after that, called all the MPs and interviewed them on whether they had done so willingly without any pressure.
“The Agong also told us that the prime minister must bring it up in Parliament to validate his position.
“I’m saying this based on what I was told. So I am not going to debate with the AG on the matter,” he told reporters during his visit to Kg Kopungit in Kapayan.
The Warisan president was visiting the site of a landslide from last week’s flooding and heavy rain in Sabah’s west coast.
Shafie said the matter is now in the hands of the government, whether to heed the royal decree.
“It is not a matter for the opposition to instruct the ruling leaders to do so.
“What’s more important is for us to move forward right now. We can’t be politicking too much.
“All of this will remind us of one thing, and that there are procedures for all of these.
“We don’t want to say one thing today, but say something else the next day. How are we going to get the support and confidence of the people if we keep changing?
“I think the prime minister should call for a vote of confidence,” he said.
On Warisan’s plan to spread its wings to Peninsular Malaysia this year, Shafie indicated that the party has to postpone it due to the pandemic.
He said the party has sponsors and is waiting for the right time to launch.
Shafie added that Warisan will bring about differing ideologies of race and religion in politics, and will stand for issues like the economy, education, health and security.
“We are a multiracial party, not one that is based on religion and race.
“Our cause will be for unity, education, health and security, which are pressing for all Malaysians.
“I liken Warisan to the struggles of the Labour and Conservative parties in the United Kingdom, or the Democrats and Republicans in the United States, where they are not based on race and religion.
“These matters are quite diverse and can cause disunity among Malaysians,” said Shafie, adding that the party will be working and launched together with the Muda party led by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. – The Vibes, September 7, 2021
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