By Karen Bong
MIRI, Feb 26: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg says the Sarawak government will abide by the King’s decision and support the prime minster the latter appointed.
The GPS government, he stressed, will abide by any decision taken by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to solve this impasse based on Article 40 (2)(a) and (b), Article 43 (2)(a) and Article 55 (2) as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“We are giving support to Dr Mahathir to continue as the prime minister but at the same time, we will abide by the decision made by the King according to provisions in the Federal Constitution,” he added.
Article 40 (2) allows the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act in his own discretion in relation to the following functions: (a) The appointment of the Prime Minister, (b) The withholding of consent to a request to dissolve Parliament.
Article 43 (2)(a) stipulates that the King shall appoint a prime minister to preside over the Cabinet, and this member of parliament is, in the King’s judgment, likely to command the confidence of the majority of members in the parliament.
Article 55 (2) reads: ‘The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may prorogue or dissolve Parliament.’
“You must read them (provisions) together and these are the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and GPS government, a responsible state government, will abide by the decision made by the King,” he emphasied.
He said the GPS government chose to render its support to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad because it chose political stability and not chaos, for the sake of the the people.
“Because for the sake of national interest, Dr Mahathir is there and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has appointed him as the interim prime minister.
“You must not create chaos in the country. It is the stability that is important, the rakyat must come first so that the country is stable,” he told a press conference after officiating the Majlis Amanat Perdana Integrity (Mapi20) here today.
Abang Johari gave assurance that any decision taken by the GPS government during the current political impasse affecting the federal government will not sacrifice the rights and interests of Sarawak.
“GPS will give priority on the rights of Sarawak. The decision will be taken in the interest of the nation as the most important concern to GPS is that Malaysia must have political stability in order for the nation to move forward,” he reiterated.
On the possibility of a general election and if Sarawak will follow suit to call for the state election, he replied: “We will cross when we reach the bridge.”
The country, Abang Johari pointed out, was faced with mounting economic problems arising from uncertainties including Covid-19 outbreak that must be addressed in earnest and expeditiously.
“We are facing a lot of economic problem not only in Malaysia but globally and we have to tackle this as it affects the ordinary people,” he said.
Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Minister of Rural Electricity and Water Supply Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, and State Legislative Assembly (DUN) speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar were present. — DayakDaily
