PETALING JAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has decreed that the next prime minister must move a motion of confidence in his leadership in the Dewan Rakyat as soon as possible.
In a statement posted to the official Istana Negara Facebook page on Wednesday (Aug 18), Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the King had decreed this during his audience with the heads of political parties on Tuesday (Aug 17).
Ahmad Fadil said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Nazrin Muizzudin Shah of Perak wanted to have the audience with the heads and representatives of the political parties on Tuesday so that Their Majesties could state their stand on the formation of a stable government as quickly as possible, following the resignation of the prime minister and the entire Cabinet on Monday (Aug 16).
Ahmad Fadil said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong decreed that the main purpose for the audience was, among others, to state that whoever is picked to lead the Federal Government has to be chosen based on the Federal Constitution, and that the people should not be burdened with unending political turmoil while at the same time struggling with health and economic issues due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As such, Ahmad Fadil said the King has decreed for all 220 MPs to present to him a statutory declaration (SD) to state which of the Dewan Rakyat members has been given their confidence to become the next prime minister, adding that all the MPs have to send the SDs before 4pm Wednesday.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong stressed that the statutory declarations are needed for the purpose of helping His Majesty make a decision to appoint a member of the Dewan Rakyat who, according to His Majesty’s wisdom, has the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat as provided under Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.
“The King also decreed that the prime minister who has been chosen by him under Article 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution has to immediately submit a motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat to validate that the person has the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat.
“The King also decreed that as the Chief of the country, His Majesty will do His best to perfect His responsibilities as a constitutional monarch grounded on the Constitution and the rule of law,” he said.
Ahmad Fadil added that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will chair a special session of the Malay Rulers to discuss current issues on Friday (Aug 20).
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Sultan of Perak have expressed the view that this protracted political crisis has disrupted governance while the country is still under the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Both of Their Majesties stressed that this political crisis and confusion has adversely impacted the nation’s economy deeply. Additionally, given the concerns over the well-being and safety of the rakyat, holding the 15th General Election is not the best choice at this moment.
“Both of them also expressed their views that all Dewan Rakyat members need to come together to work towards unity and oneness among all political parties and to give their focus towards current issues and to give clarity to the mess that has occurred as soon as possible,” he said.
Before the audience ended on Tuesday, Ahmad Fadhil said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong reminded the heads and all representatives of political parties, for the sake of bringing about a harmonious environment, that the MP who is appointed prime minister has to extend a hand to work together with those who were not successful, adding that all parties should be ready to work as one team.
“In other words, those who won, did not win all, while those who lost, did not lose all.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also expressed his hope that all the other MPs would also be able to have an audience with His Majesty from time to time,” he said.
Source: The Star
