Unconstitutional for Dewan to not allow no-confidence motion against PM: Ku Li

KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat will be mired in unconstitutional practice if it does not permit the tabling of a no-confidence motion against the prime minister, said Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today.

The Gua Musang MP from Barisan Nasional said the prime minister’s legitimacy has to be established before the House debates any government motion.

In a letter by Tengku Razaleigh to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun dated November 19, the lawmaker said the no-confidence motion is not a private motion, but a constitutional one.

The Umno veteran said he disagrees with Azhar’s suggestion to approach the law minister to get the nod to table the said motion.

“In my opinion, the minister has no role in determining if a no-confidence motion can be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat. Such a suggestion is unconstitutional and an infringement on the freedom and independence of the House by the executive branch.”

He said the letter to Azhar is based on his oath as a parliamentarian, while safeguarding the constitution.

“Without the confidence of the House, the prime minister has no right to demand legitimacy, and avoiding this fact points to a bad intention and deceives the constitution.

“From a constitutional point of view, there is no allocation in the Standing Orders that can block the tabling of a no-confidence motion, as it is a desperate priority.”

He again slammed the move by Azhar to put government business ahead of the motion.

“Taking part in the Budget debate without ensuring the legitimacy of the prime minister and his ministers will adversely affect our (MPs’) efforts to support the constitution and defend the rule of law.

“In my opinion, political bribery will damn our constitutional democracy from within. These are the reasons why I will not be taking part in the Budget debate.”

Yesterday, The Vibes reported that Tengku Razaleigh’s refusal to debate Budget 2021 comes amid his row with Azhar over the speaker’s rejection of his request for a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.

Today, the MP’s political aide, Mohd Lukman Ghani, said: “The reports that went viral on Sunday are inaccurate. They portray a different dimension to what Tengku Razaleigh intends to do. It is the duty of every parliamentarian to be present, as they were elected by the people to do their job in the Dewan Rakyat.”

He said the letter that was circulated yesterday, stating that Tengku Razaleigh will not be present in the Dewan Rakyat, did not come from the lawmaker’s office.

“The letter is not from us.”

In a letter dated September 29, Tengku Razaleigh sought a fresh motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

It came on the heels of similar motions filed by Muhyiddin’s predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (independent-Langkawi), Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusuf Rawa (PH-Parit Buntar) and a few other MPs. – The Vibes, November 23, 2020