Unity govt’s MoU prelude to dictatorship, says ex-deputy law minister

 

Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said there was no provision in the anti-hopping law that requires an MP to vacate their seat based on how they voted in the Dewan Rakyat.  (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Former deputy law minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has hit out at the unity government’s memorandum of understanding (MoU), saying it is a “prelude to dictatorship” as it threatened democracy.

She singled out a condition in the MoU, which requires government MPs to vacate their seat if they fail to toe their party line and vote against the prime minister or the government, for criticism. The MoU cited Article 49A(1) of the Federal Constitution for this condition.

“Article 49A does not cause any parliamentary seat to be vacated based on a vote taken by an MP.

“There is no such thing in Article 49A. It only deals with a situation where an MP resigns or ceases to be a member of his party,” the Masjid Tanah MP said in a statement, referring to the anti-hopping law that was passed by Parliament in July.

“This MoU is illegal, unconstitutional, dangerous and unenforceable.”

Mas Ermieyati said the parliamentary select committee (PSC) tasked with drafting the anti-hopping law had even stated on July 18 that an MP who does not vote according to their party’s directions will not lose his or her seat under Article 49A.

She said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and party leaders in the government chose to ignore this “in a desperate attempt to frighten and intimidate their own MPs into toeing the line.”

“Anwar and the government parties cannot rely on Article 49A to threaten MPs to vote in support of Anwar as prime minister on Dec 19 or in any subsequent confidence-related bills or matters,” she said.

“The threat and intimidation created by this MoU against MPs from government parties is a prelude to dictatorship.”

She added that the Federal Constitution gave absolute freedom to MPs to vote as they deem fit, in the interest of their constituents, and urged all Dewan Rakyat members from government parties not to be intimidated from carrying out their duties.

Aside from Anwar, as Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, the MoU was jointly signed yesterday by Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Abang Johari Openg, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Hajiji Noor, and Warisan president Shafie Apdal. It was also signed by the secretaries-general of the respective parties.  - FMT