Repeating ‘vote of confidence’ for PM waste of time, says analyst

 

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya pointed out that Anwar Ibrahim had won a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 19, 2022. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

An analyst has dismissed a PKR MP’s suggestion for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to prove his legitimacy through a vote of confidence in Parliament calling it a waste of time.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said the issue of Anwar’s legitimacy post-GE15 was settled when he won the vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 19, 2022.

He said Anwar, who is also the finance minister, also 

passed the test

 when the 2024 Budget he presented received majority support from the Dewan Rakyat.

Besides wasting resources, it could potentially cause political instability if pursued continuously,

 Awang Azman told FMT.

The government has already acted in accordance with the Federal Constitution to ensure political stability and government legitimacy.

In a statement last week, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim proposed three ways for Anwar to prove the legitimacy of his government.

Hassan said that when the Dewan Rakyat reconvenes on Oct 14, the government could either present a motion of confidence in Anwar, or the opposition could introduce a motion of no confidence against the PKR president.

He also suggested that the vote on the 2025 Budget, which will be presented on Oct 18, could also confirm Anwar’s legitimacy.

The issue of legitimacy has resurfaced after a controversial speech made by Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin in the run-up to the Nenggiri by-election, during which he claimed that 

for some reason

, he was not invited by the former king to be sworn in as prime minister after GE15 despite 

having the numbers

 needed to form the government.

His remarks led to 29 police reports lodged against him, a police investigation, and a rebuke from the Pahang palace.

Muhyiddin had previously defended his statement, insisting it was factual. He subsequently said he had submitted 115 statutory declarations to back his claim.

The former prime minister is expected to be charged with sedition at the sessions court in Gua Musang today.

National Council of Professors fellow Azmi Hassan said that proving the legitimacy of Anwar’s government is not a priority for the government now, especially as Muhyiddin only raised the issue of his 115 statutory declarations to defend his speech in Nenggiri.

This issue should not be cropping up again as (Anwar’s) legitimacy has already been established with the support of over 140 MPs,

 he said.

It is not of major importance at the moment. - FMT