Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
KUCHING (July 8): The position of the Prime Minister will be determined by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the basis of the provisions of the Federal Constitution, said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said that Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution states ‘… commands the confidence of the majority of members of the House …’ while Article 43(4) ‘… ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the members…’.
“The party is therefore irrelevant in the Federal Constitution for the appointment of the prime minister as well as for ceasing the tenure of such appointment.
“When Umno decided to join Perikatan Nasional (PN) and support Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to become prime minister in March 2020, don’t tell me it was just for the purpose of dismantling the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.
“Certainly, then, they should have realised that Muhyiddin would not be their puppet at their beck and call,” he in a statement yesterday following Umno’s decision to withdraw its support for Muhyiddin as prime minister,” he said in a statement today.
Wan Junaidi, who is Santubong MP, however acknowledged that Umno’s withdrawal of support was undoubtedly the party’s democratic right, but questioned whether the decision was made in the interest of the country and the people.
He said constitutionally, the Agong cannot dismiss a standing prime minister except by vote of no confidence, or if the government failed to pass the Supply Bill.
He said if the prime minister loses the support of the majority of MPs, or the government fails to provide salaries to government servants and funds for upkeep, as well as funding the people’s projects, the prime minister then either has to step down under Article 43(4) or request the Agong for the dissolution of Parliament.
In the event the Dewan Rakyat is dissolved, a snap general election would then have to be called, he added.
“Ask ourselves, what is going to happen after that? Remember the Sabah state election? How Malaysia was one of the best five countries in the world in handling Covid-19 before August 2020, but is now among the nations struggling under the pandemic?
“Is that what the people want? If certain segments of the people want it and other segments do not, the government must strike a balanced judgment to introduce logic for the good of the people and the country.”
Wan Junaidi said Malaysia can ill-afford another prolonged lockdown as this will cause investors to leave, foreign direct investments to stop, and small and medium enterprises to collapse.
“Now is not the time to play politics; everyone should handle two critical issues – firstly Covid-19 and secondly the economy.
“I do not want to get involved with Umno’s internal problem or decision (to withdraw support). It’s the party’s ultimate right to decide what it wants to do.
“But when the decision touches the interest of the people and the rights of others, then I have the right to say my piece,” he said.