By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 19: The motion for a confidence vote tabled by Deputy Prime Minister and Petra Jaya MP Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof caused an uproar in the Dewan Rakyat today with opposition MPs calling it unnecessary and against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s validation.
Arau MP Dato Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim questioned the need for the confidence vote in support of Tambun MP Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the Prime Minister to be moved when it has already been validated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He pointed out that Standing Order 36(7) states that the name of the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or any of the Rulers, or of any of Their Excellencies the Yang di-Pertua and Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall not be used to influence the House.
“For us (opposition), if the Agong has given his validation on the (Prime Minister’s appointment), why do we have to bring it up in the Dewan again? Just be the Prime Minister,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Following this, Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan hit back at Shahidan, saying that the ruling party wishes to move the motion because it is brave enough to do so.
“It’s because we are brave, unlike the previous administration that was afraid to do so. The eighth Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) did not dare to move the confidence vote so he declared the emergency,” he replied.
Shahidan proceeded to provoke Mohd Sany, who was advised by his doctor not to walk too much following surgery, by saying, “Orang baru balik hospital, inilah masalahnya (This is typical for a person who just came back from the hospital).”
This had induced Mohd Sany’s anger while Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee Chuan How also rose up and ask Shahidan to retract his statement.
During the debate session, Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan also calling the motion “redundant and unnecessary”.
“If the motion is brought up before the federal government is formed, it might be reasonable. Now you have formed the government, so act like one and not bring up this motion,” he added.
Meanwhile, Beluran MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee called for the motion to be postponed for 21 days until the ongoing probe into the status of four Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) MPs who have ended their association with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is completed.
He was referring to the case of the four MPs—Papar MP Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Batu Sapi MP Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah and Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yassin—who may or may not be have breached the anti-party hopping law under the Federal Constitution following GRS chief Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s announcement of their departure from Bersatu.
Earlier, Fadillah when tabling the motion proposed members of the august House to express their appreciation for the approval of the Malay Rulers and the King’s consent to appoint Anwar as the 10th Prime Minister on Nov 24 as well as the King’s idea to form the unity government.
“With this, this House needs to take a resolution and pledge to give full support to the leadership of the Tambun MP as Prime Minister to carry out his duties and responsibilities and that this House stands firm while fully supporting the appointment and leadership of the Tambun MP as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia,” he said. — DayakDaily
