Unlawful for MPs to back govt under duress, says Takiyuddin

 

Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan (centre) says the unity pact also runs foul of contract law.

PETALING JAYA: The political unity pact on backing Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister has forced MPs to support Anwar under duress, according to Perikatan Nasional’s chief whip, Takiyuddin Hassan.

He said the memorandum of understanding between the major political coalitions had removed the exclusive right of MPs to make their own decisions on matters before them in Parliament.

“MPs have the exclusive right to make their own decisions and they cannot be charged in court for whatever decision they made in Parliament,” said Takiyuddin, who is MP for Kota Bharu.

The pact also ran afoul of the anti-hopping law, he said. “Where is it stated (in the anti-hopping law) that whoever does not support the prime minister will cease to be a member of the party and lose their position as MP?” he said.

“I asked the law minister (Azalina Othman Said) this question but she didn’t answer. The question is none. What was done is against the Federal Constitution,” he contended at a media conference at the end of today’s Dewan Rakyat meeting.

Takiyuddin, who is PAS secretary-general, also said the call for an MP’s seat to be vacated went against contract law, which states that any part of a single consideration for one or more objects, or any one or any part of several considerations for a single object would be unlawful and that agreement is void.

“The consideration here means vote. Voting under duress is against the law,” he said.

Earlier today, Anwar won a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat through a voice note. Members of the opposition did not vote as they did not want to be involved in a process related to a document deemed unconstitutional.

Anwar has received the support of Pakatan Harapan, of which he is chairman, and Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Warisan, minor parties as well as independent MPs. He commands a total of 148 votes in the Dewan Rakyat.

The opposition is formed by Perikatan Nasional, which is composed of Bersatu and PAS. The coalition has 74 seats in the house. - FMT