[UPDATED] Perikatan offered cabinet posts to join unity govt: Takiyuddin

KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) was allegedly offered several cabinet posts as part of a purported bid to entice the coalition to join the unity government, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Baru-PN) said this in the lower House today when debating the motion of confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also claimed there was an offer to cover the full cost of the general election incurred by the opposition coalition.

“We in PN accept the fact that we will be the opposition who will ensure check and balance on the government, although I would like to reveal that we have been offered various cabinet posts to join the government.

“There are also supposed assurances to repay our election expenditure, but we didn’t accept because we are here today carrying the mandate of 4.7 million popular votes, and represent 74 parliamentary seats.”

Takiyuddin, however, did not provide details for his allegation, including who made the offers and when this took place.

Later, the PAS lawmaker questioned the legality of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked by party leaders in the unity government, claiming it violates at least three provisions under the federal constitution.

This is in reference to a provision in the agreement which stipulates that an MP who fails to toe their party’s line and votes against the prime minister or the government will lose his parliamentary seat.

Takiyuddin said this is in direct violation of Article 10 of the constitution which guarantees freedom of speech, as well as Article 63(2), which provides that no MP shall be liable to any court proceeding in respect of anything said or any vote cast when taking part in any proceedings.

He added that the MoU also contravenes Article 49A of the constitution, pointing out that there is no legal provision stipulating that government MPs who do not toe the party line will have to vacate their seat.

Additionally, Takiyuddin noted that the Contracts Act 1950 also explicitly provides that any agreement that contains unlawful considerations shall be void, while Section 124B of the Penal Code bars any person from engaging in an activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

“I would also like to draw your attention to a police report that has been lodged on these violations of the law. I urge the home minister (Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) to not block police from investigating the matter.

“I believe he is a professional, so let the police probe. If it violates Section 124 of the Penal Code, let the law take its course.” – The Vibes, December 19, 2022