The vote of confidence may not be carried out in the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s majority will still be tested when Budget 2022 is tabled.
“That’s the real test (when Budget 2022 is tabled). If the Budget doesn’t get the support of the majority of the MPs, then the government will fall,” said Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk.
The Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Policy Research and International Studies director added Ismail Sabri faces a similar dilemma experienced by his short-lived predecessor, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Muhyiddin somehow passed the test (when Budget 2021 was tabled). Ismail Sabri is now facing a similar scenario.”
Eyebrows were raised after Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Idrus Harun, in a statement last Saturday, said a vote of confidence is not required as Ismail Sabri’s appointment was carried out in accordance with the law.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong decreed last month that the newly appointed prime minister must quickly table a vote of confidence in Parliament to prove his legitimacy, with majority support among Dewan Rakyat members. Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said this had to be done in accordance with Articles 40(2) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.
However, de facto law minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, at a press conference earlier today, said the Agong had consented for Ismail Sabri not to undergo a vote of confidence in Parliament. According to Wan Junaidi, the prime minister revealed this during the first Cabinet meeting on Sept 1.
The Agong is scheduled to leave for London next week and was expected to return next month.
“I don’t think the Palace needs to react to the AG’s latest statement. The AG made a statement based on his interpretation of the law,” Azeem said.
“There has been plenty of speculation (about the AG’s statement) based on partisan views.”
Ismail Sabri enjoyed the backing of 114 MPs, and they were summoned to Istana Negara to verify their stand.
“The problem is, we don’t know who the 114 MPs are. Some may see this as a legal issue but it’s more of a political issue than anything else.
“The political situation in Malaysia is so fluid that the support that comes from various quarters is very fickle and can change overnight.”
Azeem added Umno remained a major threat in this administration as certain factions remained unhappy that their vice-president is now running Putrajaya.
“In fact, Umno is causing this instability and I’m sure its support (for Ismail Sabri) comes with many pre-conditions.”
Azeem was quick to add that the country cannot afford another constitutional crisis and another change in leadership.
“We will be the laughing stock in the eyes of the world. The only way to sort out this impasse is by dissolving Parliament but given that we are facing a triple crisis at the moment, the current administrators should be given the time to rein in the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Apart from the political instability, the nation’s economy remained sluggish, while Covid-19 cases were still high. As of yesterday, over 16 million people in Malaysia had been fully vaccinated as the government looks at easing restrictions on movement and allowing more business sectors to resume operations.
“Once the Covid-19 cases are down, we must head to the polls. Malaysia can’t go on like this. The country needs political stability.”
Here are Twentytwo13‘s news highlights.
WAN JUNAIDI: EC INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT UNDI 18
The Election Commission has been instructed to implement Undi 18 by the end of this year, revealed Wan Junaidi.
Wan Junaidi said the government would comply with the order made by the Kuching High Court. He added that the government had yet to decide if it would file an appeal against the court’s decision.
The Kuching High Court, last Friday, ordered the government to implement Undi 18 amendments by Dec 31, after allowing a legal challenge filed by five youths against the previous government’s decision not to implement the amendments by July.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, dubbed the Undi 18 Bill, was passed by the Dewan Negara in July 2019 and gazetted two months later. The amendment lowers the voting age from 21 to 18.
There are 5.6 million unregistered voters in Malaysia, with 1.19 million of them aged between 18 and 20.
MALAYSIA TO DECIDE STAND ON TALIBAN THIS FRIDAY
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said Malaysia’s stand on the Taliban’s recent takeover of Afghanistan would be decided at the Cabinet meeting this Friday.
Saifuddin said Malaysia is engaging with the relevant stakeholders, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and humanitarian groups in Afghanistan to seek views and feedback on the issues there.
Taliban fighters took control of Afghanistan last month as the country’s president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani fled the country, after United States troops withdrew from Kabul.
HEALTH, EDUCATION MINISTRIES TO DECIDE ON COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN SOON
The Health and Education Ministries will make a final decision on Covid-19 vaccination for students on Thursday.
Once a decision is made, the matter would be brought to the National Security Council for further action.
He said apart from vaccination for students, several other proposals related to the health and education sectors would also be discussed.
Schools will be reopened in stages starting Oct 3.
Malaysia today recorded 18,547 Covid-19 cases, with Sarawak registering the highest (3,200).
Selangor registered 2,407 cases while Kuala Lumpur saw 631 cases.
PAHANG EXPANDS WALK-IN VACCINATIONS
Several vaccination centres in Pahang are allowing walk-ins in a bid to speed up the vaccination process before the monsoon season starts in November.
The Wisma Belia Indera Mahkota vaccination centre in Kuantan will accept walk-ins between Sept 13 and 19.
However, those planning to get their shots are required to click on www.picktime.com/slotvaksincovidpkdkuantan to secure their appointments to prevent overcrowding.
Eight vaccination centres in Jerantut will be opened on selected days between Sept 8 and 12 to cater for walk-ins. No advance registration is required.
The National Cancer Society Malaysia’s mobile vaccination service is scheduled to operate at selected locations in Bentong between Sept 8 and 12.
