As Putrajaya avoids no-confidence vote, Warisan says 'move on'

 

Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal showed nonchalance towards Putrajaya’s decision not to hold a vote of confidence on the prime minister when the Dewan Rakyat convenes next week.

“I think what is important is we should move forward. There has been too much politics... I don’t want to quarrel with the attorney-general,” Shafie told reporters in Kota Kinabalu today.

Shafie said his party was guided by the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who told political leaders in Istana Negara last month that the prime minister has to seek a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat to have his legitimacy tested.

Whether or not Putrajaya fulfils this, said Shafie, Warisan had no role in it.

“It is now the government’s role - not us - to validate (the prime minister’s position) because that is what the Agong decreed,” he said.

On Sept 4, Attorney-General Idrus Harun said there was no need for a vote of confidence because it would undermine the Agong’s constitutional powers.

A vote of confidence is not necessary as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had already appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister as per the Federal Constitution, Idrus said.

He argued that should the appointment of a new prime minister still need legitimacy from anyone, besides the Agong, then the Agong’s sole discretion under the Federal Constitution can be overruled by others.

According to the Dewan Rakyat order paper, the vote of confidence is not on the agenda. However, the order paper can be changed at the discretion of the speaker.

Shafie was speaking to reporters after visiting hilly Kampung Kopungit in Kota Kinabalu, where four houses were destroyed in a landslide following heavy rain.

Shafie also called on Putrajaya to prioritise single-dose Covid-19 vaccines for rural Sabah.

He said it was very difficult for the rural folk to go to vaccination centres twice for double-dose vaccines. - Mkini