Speak up on PM’s majority, Zaid tells Azhar

 

Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun has a duty to the people to tell the truth about the state of the House, says Zaid Ibrahim.

PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun must not remain silent on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s majority in the Parliament but should reveal the state of the House to the public, says a former minister.

“Why is he so quiet? If the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is aware that Muhyiddin’s majority is in doubt, as many reports suggest, surely Azhar must be aware,” said former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim.

“The Speaker is the speaker of the House, not the Executive. Of all people, he must know the actual situation. Has he advised the King on the actual situation? The public needs to know this too,” he told FMT.

According to reports, 15 MPs from Umno have withdrawn support for Muhyiddin and his administration either through public or statutory declarations (SDs), leaving the governing coalition with only about 100 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.

The opposition bloc has 105 MPs from Pakatan Harapan, Pejuang, Warisan, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), and MUDA. This includes former education minister Maszlee Malik, who is an independent.

With the 15 MPs from Umno, those against Muhyiddin add up to 120 of the total 220 MPs, leaving the prime minister with only 100. Two seats are vacant after the death of the MPs.

Zaid said the issue of the prime minister’s majority was a matter of national importance and as speaker, Azhar should “do the right thing”.

“To me, the speaker has a duty to the people. He has to facilitate transparency in this process of determining the PM’s majority.

“People are confused, there is uncertainty in the market because of this situation,” he said.

Zaid also voiced concern over agreements and deals the government makes at this point when its legitimacy is in doubt.

“This is a truly unhealthy situation that needs to be addressed, and the speaker has a very important role to play in this crisis. So, he cannot remain silent,” he said, adding that the speaker’s role has never been more critical than it is now.

Zaid said Azhar must facilitate a quick resolution to the crisis and not contribute to a further impasse.

“This is what his role demands at this time.” - FMT