Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang has blasted Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob after Attorney-General Idrus Harun’s claim that it was not necessary for the new PM to receive a confidence vote.
“This is the latest serious misjudgment in a litany of mistakes that Ismail Sabri had made after becoming the ninth prime minister,” Lim said.
The DAP veteran claimed that in one day, Ismail Sabri had gone from “enhancing to jeopardising” the possibility of a political breakthrough in Parliament through a historic confidence-and-supply agreement and a new political ceasefire to ensure that the focus is placed on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong had decreed on Aug 18 that the new prime minister must seek a vote of confidence in Parliament as soon as possible to determine his legitimacy, that MPs should work together to focus on the Covid-19 response and economic recovery and that ‘the winner does not win everything while the loser does not lose everything’.
“It would be most unfortunate that it is the new prime minister who is jeopardising the government and the opposition reaching a confidence-supply-reform understanding in accordance with the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” added Lim.
Lim’s statement comes after Attorney-General Idris Harun argued on Sept 4 that a vote of confidence was unnecessary, as it risks undermining the king's powers.
Idris’ claim on the matter incited the criticism of lawyers and opposition MPs alike.
The Agong himself had previously decreed that whoever was appointed as prime minister following Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation should seek a vote of confidence.
The move is believed to be aimed at ensuring that the government is stable.
Ismail Sabri had been appointed as prime minister after securing support from 114 lawmakers.
Parliament is set to convene on Sept 13. - Mkini
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