Pakatan Harapan leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Mohamad Sabu, and Lim Guan Eng have expressed shock at the claim by Attorney-General (AG) Idrus Harun that a vote of confidence should not be carried out when the Dewan Rakyat sits on Sept 13.
They said the AG's statement is contrary to the order given by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to all party leaders during an audience at Istana Negara on Aug 17.
"As recorded in the Istana Negara media statement dated Aug 18, His Majesty said 'the prime minister who has been appointed by His Majesty pursuant to Article 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution shall as soon as possible submit a motion of confidence in the House of Representatives to legitimise him as having attained the trust of the majority of Dewan Rakyat members.'
"His Majesty's statement was also endorsed by His Majesty the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the need for this vote of confidence has been agreed upon by all party chiefs," said the Harapan leaders in a joint statement today.
This came after Idrus claimed that a vote of confidence is not necessary as the Agong had already appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister as per the Federal Constitution, adding that a vote of confidence would actually undermine the king's powers.
"It is important to note that the AG was present, witnessed, and even listened to His Majesty's words during this (Aug 17) session.
"So where's the logic and sanity of the AG in saying the power of His Majesty in appointing the prime minister can be overturned by a motion of confidence vote in Parliament when the tabling of the motion of confidence was ordered by His Majesty himself?" asked the Harapan leaders.
The trio cited precedents when a vote of confidence was carried out after the Agong appointed a prime minister to replace the previous premier.
A vote of confidence took place on Jan 27, 1976, 12 days after Hussein Onn was appointed prime minister to replace Abdul Razak Hussein, as well as on Nov 3, 2003, three days after Abdullah Ahmad Badawi replaced Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"Therefore, the (Harapan) presidential council considers that the statement of the AG on behalf of this government to be extremely ill-mannered and in violation of the spirit of the Federal Constitution and a violation against the instructions of His Majesty.
"This is indeed very disappointing and he (Idrus) is not worthy of holding the office of AG," said the leaders.
"Harapan is urging the AG to resign because he not only rebelled against His Majesty, but he has also betrayed the Federal Constitution and the system of parliamentary democracy," they added.
They also urged Ismail Sabri not to heed Idrus' advice and reminded him not to follow in the footsteps of former premier Muhyiddin Yassin who presided over a period of political instability in part because his legitimacy was doubted.
Amanah's Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin was also baffled by Idrus' statement.
"With due respect, I am of the view that his statement seems to reflect a complete and utter confusion of thought," he said.
The former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of legal affairs said Idrus' claim has "nothing to do with the law or the Constitution."
"The learned AG should have known the king has created legitimate expectations among all MPs that the appointment of the PM would be duly tested via a vote of confidence in Parliament, and that this is deeply rooted in fairness," Hanipa said in a separate statement.
DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang weighed in as well, saying that Ismail Sabri may not have 100 days to prove his worth as the ninth prime minister if he persists with this and other decisions.
"There has been a litany of errors in recent days – the re-appointment of the three special envoys... the reappointment of Muhyiddin to chair the National Recovery Council, and this reluctance to have a vote of confidence motion in Parliament," said the Iskandar Puteri MP. - Mkini
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