Aziz Bari: Agong can choose to dissolve Dewan Rakyat

DAP's Tebing Tinggi assemblyperson Abdul Aziz Bari believes the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong can opt to dissolve the Dewan Rakyat amid political manoeuvrings to form a new government.

Aziz, who previously lectured law, said one aspect where the king can exercise discretion without having to consult the government is the dissolution of Parliament.

"If we refer to the Federal Constitution, it provides for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong discretion to act without the government's advice in two areas - firstly, in appointing the prime minister and secondly, in dissolving Parliament.

"To avoid appearing to be taking sides and amid the speculations about the government, it would be best to dissolve Parliament," the constitutional expert told Malaysiakini.

This is amid a bid by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali's faction, Bersatu, Umno, PAS, GPS and Warisan to form a new coalition which could unseat the current Pakatan Harapan government.

While Harapan and its predecessor Pakatan Rakyat had on past occasions also called for dissolution when faced with a similar situation, such as the Perak crisis in 2009 and Selangor crisis in 2014 following the Kajang move, it did not happen.

In the past decade, Malaysian politics have developed a norm where the support in the House is instead established by presenting statutory declarations to the ruler to determine who has the support.

There has been a flurry of movements since this morning, starting with PKR MPs aligned to Azmin's (above) faction gathering at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya while Bersatu leaders met at their headquarters just 1km away.

At the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, GPS leaders led by its chief Abang Johari Openg had started gathering since afternoon and was later joined by Warisan president Shafie Apdal.

Then, Umno leaders, who were having a retreat with PAS in Janda Baik, Pahang this morning began rushing back to the Umno headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur this evening.

It is believed that Azmin, Shafie, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, GPS president Abang Johari Openg and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur later in the day.

It is unclear what was the outcome of the meeting but the leaders decided not to make an announcement tonight.

However, MPs from all the parties involved had gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya for a closed-door dinner.

Some of the leaders indicated that an announcement may be made soon.

PSM wants fresh polls

Meanwhile, PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan (photo) called the political manoeuvring a betrayal and wants fresh polls.

"PSM sympathises with the sentiment of many Malaysians who wished for new dawn after the BN government was ousted by a popular vote through the ballot box in May 2018.

"Today these same scoundrels who lost the elections along with some parties from the Harapan are now working towards a backdoor government to rob those hopes gained 20 months ago," he said in a statement.

Arutchelvan said PSM condemns the players in the political manoeuvrings, adding that it has always been suspicious of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also the Bersatu chairperson, and now feels vindicated.

"In fact Harapan continued to pursue race-based politics inherited by the BN. Having done all this, they have even killed the reformasi spirit which was there in 1998.

"It is unlikely that the rakyat is going to come out this time to rally behind PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, DAP supremo Kit Siang or Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

"PSM reject backdoor politics and calls upon a fresh mandate through the ballot boxes so that the rakyat can choose once again and now since they have seen the true colours of their representatives.

PSM also calls for a new alliance of political parties based on politics of principles, integrity and track record to fight politics based on cronyism, corruption and elitism. - Mkini