'No comment' on status of unelected cabinet members

Newly sworn-in Senate President Abu Zahar Ujang has refused to comment on the status of cabinet members who are not elected to the Dewan Rakyar or appointed as senators, though he vowed to "put things in order" without explaining how.

"I am going to put things all in order according to procedure. There will be more senators sworn in after me," Abu Zahar (right) told reporters in the Parliament lobby today after he was sworn in as Dewan Negara president for the second term.

Pressed on the legality of the cabinet appointments, he refused comment.

"I am not going to comment on that. Let us look forward. We are going to regularise everything," Abu Zahar said.

According to earlier media reports, the other senators will be sworn in on June 5.

Two ministers, Transparency International-Malaysia president Paul Low, former Maybank CEO Abdul Wahid Omar and deputy ministers P Waythamoorty, J Loga Bala Mohan and Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah were appointed to the new cabinet of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak after BN won the May 5 general election.

However, none of them were elected to the Dewan Rakyat or appointed as senators.

DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang who pointed this out last week said the two ministers and three deputy ministers are illegal appointments into the cabinet as they took their oaths of office even before being sworn in as senators.

Lim argued that according to the federal constitution, only members of parliament and senators who are appointed can take office as cabinet ministers.

'Karpal should respect the constitution'

Asked to comment on DAP chairperson Karpal Singh's call to abolish the Dewan Negara because it has outlived its usefulness in its present form, Abu Zahar urged his "friend" to respect the constitution and not make confusing statements.

"He's a lawyer, he should read the constitution... Don't make comments that confuse the rakyat. We want a responsible leader."

Abu Zahar urged Karpal to "respect the rule of law, respect the constitution".

"Don't confuse the rakyat and make the situation worse," he said.

He also said the constitution has been in use since Merdeka and has been instrumental in maintaining peace, harmony and the success of Malaysia, and it should be respected.

Karpal had called for the abolition of the Upper House, saying he believed it to be an unnecessary expense for the rakyat as it has done little to affect laws that are passed and has become the dumping ground for political rejects.