Why worry about no-confidence vote if you have majority, Ambiga asks Hadi

The Perikatan Nasional government should not be losing sleep over a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin if the coalition has the required support of federal lawmakers, according to Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Contrary to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's argument, she also said a vote of no-confidence is not tantamount to disrespecting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Ours is a constitutional democracy where the federal constitution is supreme. The role of the Agung in such situations is clearly set out. Parliament's role is also set out.

“This is particularly important when the numbers (of MPs supporting a leader as prime minister) seem to be going back and forth.

“It (vote of no confidence) will provide certainty and stability,” the former Malaysian Bar president told Malaysiakini this afternoon.

Ambiga said the curtain would fall on the contentious issue when the majority is determined in parliament.

“In any event why should this government be concerned about such a vote as they state they have the majority?” she asked.

Ambiga also said that all quarters have a responsibility not to mislead the public on the role of the monarchy and parliament.

Doing so, she argued, would be a disservice to the king, who has completed his duties under the constitution.

Earlier, she tweeted that tabling a no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin was “prefectly constitutional.”

“The Agong has completed requirements under the constitution. Now it is over to Parliament. That includes a vote of confidence ( like the one PAS was going to move for former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad) or no confidence,” she added.

At a press conference in Terengganu this morning, Hadi said those who were pushing for a no-confidence vote do not have faith in the king's decision and it is up to the public to access their behaviour.

The PAS president said the Agong has helped resolve a political crisis and was wise to confer with party leaders.

On Sunday, Muhyiddin was sworn-in as the nation's eighth prime minister after the Agong believed that the former commanded majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

The Bersatu president was backed by Umno, PAS and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) lawmakers.

This followed a week-long political turmoil which witnessed the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government after 21 months in power.

However, Mahathir and Harapan parties claim to have the numbers to form the government.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the parliament sitting, which was scheduled to start on March 9, has been moved to May 18 to facilitate the formation of Muhyiddin's cabinet and for newly- appointed ministers to familiarise themselves with their respective portfolios. - Mkini