PM can be toppled via election, says Mat Sabu

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu says it is normal if there is any attempt to topple the prime minister but adds that he has not received any information if such a move was orchestrated by Pakatan Harapan members.

The news on the attempt surfaced yesterday after Amanah Jasin parliamentary coordinator Khairuddin Abu Hassan, in his Facebook post, claimed that there were efforts by certain quarters from within to topple Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Khairuddin alleged that these people were frustrated at not holding positions in the new government.

"The prime minister can be toppled... but via an election. There are opposition parties, so it's normal," Mohamad said in a press conference at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in the city centre.

However, Mohamad, who is defence minister, said he has no knowledge if the purported attempt involved those in Harapan itself.

"I have yet to receive such information," he said.

Asked to comment on some Harapan leaders who criticised each other in the party, Mohamad said the coalition has no problem with open criticisms.

"No problem. We practise open politics. Can criticise and free to take criticisms... it's normal in the democratic world," he said.

He added that the criticisms which are happening now are not worrying but are normal in a government.

The latest criticism came in a spat between Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.

Ramasamy has chided Syed Saddiq who called for the resignation of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy over the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim in the Seafield temple fracas.

Syed Saddiq retaliated, saying that he did not enter politics just to "play safe" or be a "yes man" and will never apologise for speaking his mind.  - Mkini