Ismail risks backlash if he dodges Dewan vote, say pundits

 

Ismail Sabri Yaakob in audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in Kuantan last week. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Any attempt by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to avoid a confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat may backfire and lead to vicious attacks against him, say two political scientists.

Universiti Malaya political scientist Awang Azman Pawi and academician Azmi Hassan both said Ismail should not to delay the tabling of the confidence motion.

Awang Azman said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had been clear about his wish that such a motion be tabled to demonstrate that he commanded majority support.

“If Ismail Sabri fails to follow through with the confidence vote, it will backfire on him with vicious attacks against him,” Awang Azman told FMT.

He was commenting on Attorney-General Idrus Harun who said there is no need for Ismail to table a confidence vote in the Dewan Rakyat. Idrus had said if Ismail’s legitimacy still needed to be tested by any party apart from the King, it would mean the absolute power of the King could be overridden.

He said he was surprised by the statement from Idrus yesterday that a confidence vote would override the authority of the King.

“It would be best not to go against the statement made by the palace,” Awang Azman said, referring to a statement from Istana Negara after Ismail was appointed, saying that the new prime minister would have to face a confidence vote to prove his majority.

Awang Azman added Ismail may put a strain again between the palace and the government if he did not abide by the King’s wishes. “There is bound to be a backlash from the rakyat and politicians and this is not good for the country’s political stability,” he said.

Academician Azmi Hassan said Ismail should avoid the same stigma that Muhyiddin Yassin faced for not facing a confidence vote. He advised Ismail not to delay, as he may still have the backing of 114 MPs who supported him through statutory declarations submitted to the King after Muhyiddin’s resignation.

Law expert disagrees with AG

Constitutional expert Bastian Pius Verdagon disagreed with Idrus about the King’s discretionary power to appoint a prime minister.

The King appoints, exercising his best judgement, the person likely to command the confidence of the majority in the Dewan Rakyat, he said. “But it is the Dewan Rakyat that can determine conclusively by vote on a motion who commands that confidence.” - FMT