Lawyer Siti Kasim has challenged the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) to state its stand on the country having a future non-Muslim prime minister.
She raised this question during a dialogue session titled “Implementation of democracy in the country’s democratisation phase” at the Bersih Congress today.
The panellists at the dialogue were Abim president Fahmi Samsudin, former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreevenasan, Bersih executive director Ooi Kok Hin and Congress IIUM chairperson Aaliyah Danial.
“If a non-Muslim becomes the prime minister in the country, what is Abim’s stance?” Siti queried.
Fahmi responded that “anyone can be appointed as the prime minister as long as the appointment process abides by the Federal Constitution”.
“Anyone, as long as he is born in Malaysia and has the confidence (of the majority of the members of the House)…
“First, he has to be elected as a member of the House, not appointed as a senator.
“He also must garner confidence. I don’t think it’s a problem for anyone to be appointed as the prime minister,” Fahmi opined.
Earlier, he cited Article 40(2) and 43(2) of the Federal Constitution in his response to Siti.
Article 40(2) stipulates that the process of appointment of a prime minister relies on such discretion that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong possesses in assessing and judging the political situation.
At the same time, Article 43(2) points that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall first appoint as prime minister to preside over the cabinet a member of the House of Representatives, who in his judgment, is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House.
Anwar: No need to amend Constitution
In December last year, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang came under fire from pro-Malay groups and politicians after raising the possibility of a non-Muslim being appointed as the prime minister.
The police summoned Lim over this.
Bersatu lawmaker Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal subsequently urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to amend the Federal Constitution to ensure the post is reserved exclusively for Malay Muslims.
The Machang MP also claimed the move would help Anwar’s coalition government reclaim lost ground among the Malay electorate.
However, Anwar said there was no need for such amendments.
“So far, there’s no need, no serious discussion,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.
He also said that the prime minister will continue to be a Malay.
The Pakatan Harapan chairperson added that the opposition played up the issue of a non-Muslim becoming the prime minister to create disunity among the country’s multiracial community. - Mkini
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