PETALING JAYA: The law requires Muhyiddin Yassin to submit to a test of his legitimacy as prime minister the moment a doubt arises, according to constitutional expert Bastion Pius Vendargon.
Speaking to FMT, Vendargon cited Article 43 of the Federal Constitution, according to which a vote has to be taken when there is any doubt about the prime minister’s majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
He added that Muhyiddin could “satisfy the country and the whole world of his legitimacy” only if the vote were to show he commanded the support of the majority of MPs.
He remarked: “When there is a doubt, how can the prime minister and the Cabinet go about spending public funds and deciding public policies?”
Vendargon said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong could tell the prime minister to summon a parliamentary sitting immediately and not wait until September as recently announced by Muhyiddin.
Deputy prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday claimed that 31 MPs from Barisan Nasional (BN) were still supporting the government and Muhyiddin as prime minister.
Analysts have told FMT that the government now has only 104 MPs on its side, with 11 BN lawmakers against it. The remaining 105 MPs are members of opposition parties.
Lawyer Rafique Rashid said the King, whom the constitution recognises as head of Parliament, could call for an urgent sitting under Parliament’s Standing Order 11 (3).
“Right now the constitution has been ignored and Muhyiddin does not have majority support,” he said. “The King can seek an explanation on the latest developments.”
He added that the legitimacy of the prime minister needed to be determined immediately since the country was in a health and economic crisis. - FMT
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