Pas: PKR’s intention to appoint temporary PM unconstitutional
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR’s intention to appoint a temporary prime minister is unhealthy, and unconstitutional, said Pas.
Pas secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the process of appointing a prime minister was a matter prescribed in Article 43 of the Federal Constitution.
Article 43 prescribed that the prime minister appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be a member of the Dewam Rakyat, who, in his opinion, has the confidence of the majority of its members.
Takiyuddin said the process must also be in accordance with Article 40, Clause 2 of the Federal Constitution, which concerned the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s prerogative powers in matters involving the appointment of the prime minister without the need to follow the advice of any party.
“Based on the above provisions, it is clear that after the 14th General Election (GE14), the Agong can use his ‘privilege’ to appoint one of the 222 members of parliament, who, in his judgment, is likely to command the confidence of the majority of Dewan Rakyat members.
“The prime minister shall be appointed from among the party leaders who command the majority of seats in Parliament,” said the Kota Baru member of parliament.
It has been reported that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir, who is the chairman of Pakatan Harapan and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), will warm the seat as temporary prime minister while awaiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s release from prison should the opposition win GE14.
At the same time PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will serve as deputy prime minister.
Takiyuddin said in the event that no party commanded the majority or the number of seats to form the government after GE14, it is the prerogative of the Agong to choose a person from either the majority or minority party to be appointed prime minister.
He said the appointment of a temporary prime minister was a sign of a weak government.
Umno Supreme Council Member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi dismissed the move as yet another trick by the opposition to pull the wool over the eyes of the people.
He said the people should reject such a measure, which would lead only to the destruction of the nation.
He said recent reports of PKR agreeing to Dr Mahathir becoming a temporary prime minister was also an early sign showing the break-up of the opposition.
“I am confident that they are ‘acting’ when they agreed to make Dr Mahathir a temporary prime minister.
“They (the opposition) have their own personal agenda, with PKR only wanting Anwar as prime minister and DAP wanting Lim Kit Siang to lead,” he told Berita Harian.
“The question is, who is lying to who. The temporary prime minister concept is to garner the support of the people.
“I’m sure that they will argue with each other on the first day they are in power,” he said here yesterday.