Bersih: Muhyiddin must resign or seek confidence vote

 

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has called on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to either resign or seek a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.

This follows the announcement by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that his party has withdrawn its support for the prime minister and that at least 11 Umno MPs to date have declared a similar position.

"Muhyiddin's parliamentary strength has dropped to at most 104 only, seven seats short needed for a simple majority.

"Bersih underlines that it is irresponsible to prolong the political instability and deny Malaysians a functioning government while the country is facing a raging pandemic and an ailing economy," it said in a statement today.

"If Muhyiddin believes he can still command a majority, he must convene the Dewan Rakyat and table a motion of confidence on himself immediately, notwithstanding the widely disputed proposal of a 14-day suspension by the director-general of health," the electoral watchdog added.

Bersih said if Muhyiddin fails to prove his majority and refuses to resign, he should be dismissed by the king to pave way for the appointment of a new prime minister, as per Article 43(2a) of the Federal Constitution.

"The other alternative of a fresh election has been ruled out by the pandemic, a position the Muhyiddin government takes with the imposition of the localised emergency in Sarawak.

"With the resignation or dismissal of Muhyiddin, the king can exercise his discretionary power under Article 40(2) of the Federal Constitution by reaching out to leaders of all major coalitions and parties to see if any of them have gathered a viable majority, which may be obtained through confidence and supply agreements (CSAs)," it suggested.

Bersih said any new government should be tested by a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat immediately after its swearing-in and individual MPs may act independently from their party’s position.

It added that forming governing coalitions should be party-based in the initial stage, and not based on individual MPs being called in to give their opinions as this would only increase the likelihood of seat-buying.

"Bersih calls upon all parties to protect the institution of constitutional monarchy by not pressuring the palaces to act in any way different from what is expected under the Federal Constitution and Westminster constitutional conventions.

"Bersih also urges the bureaucracy, police, and military to observe absolute neutrality while elected political leaders negotiate on government formation or retention. Any partisan act may invite subsequent retribution after the dust settles and prolong the political crisis," it said. - Mkini