Maszlee: Appeal letter showing 'error' in preventing no-confidence motion rejected

Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik has expressed disappointment that the one-day Parliament sitting went ahead as scheduled yesterday without the tabling of a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

He said this was despite an appeal letter he wrote to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof to allow Langkawi MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s motion, pointing out a “clear error” purportedly made in amending the meeting agenda.

Taking to social media yesterday, Maszlee (above), however, revealed that the appeal letter he sent on Friday was rejected the following day.

“In the letter, I also pointed out a clear and apparent error when the Dewan Rakyat speaker referred to meeting rules which did not relate to his statement on May 13.

"The speaker initially said that the amendment was made on the advice of the prime minister as the council head based on Rule 11 (2) and Rule 15 (2).

"I found out that these rules did not mention any rights to amend or fix the meeting agenda by the council head which is the prime minister," the former education minister said on his Facebook yesterday.

Maszlee, a Bersatu member, further explained that Rule 15 (2) mentioned "government matter", while the motion brought forward by Mahathir, who is former premier, is not considered a government matter.

"It's a private member's motion," he said.

However, Maszlee said he was satisfied to have made the appeal as he had done his best in accordance with the law.

The Dewan Rakyat meeting convened yesterday for only one day with the lawmakers listening to the royal speech by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the only agenda.

Mohamad Ariff had issued a statement last Wednesday saying that he had received a letter from Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in his capacity as leader of the House saying that due to the continuing Covid-19 outbreak, the Dewan Rakyat will only convene for the Agong's opening speech at 10am and end immediately after that.

The change eliminated the chance for any motions, either by Muhyiddin's government or the opposition, to be heard during the sitting, including Mahathir’s no-confidence motion.

Opposition MPs had previously lamented over the one-day sitting and had called for a full virtual Parliament session to be held instead. - Mkini