‘Royal coup’ claim an insult to august institution: Expert

KUALA LUMPUR: Allegations that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government was overthrown by a “royal coup” is an insult to the country’s royal institution, said constitutional expert Assoc Prof Dr Shamrahayu Abd Aziz.

The professor’s statement was in reference to a newspaper in the United Kingdom, which described the appointment of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the 8th prime minister as a “royal coup”.

Shamrahayu said actions taken by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in addressing the recent political crisis was based on authority accorded to the King as per the Federal Constitution.

He explained that Article 43 (2) of the Constitution clearly states that the King has the authority to appoint a prime minister, who in the King’s judgment, commands the confidence of the majority of members of Parliament.

“The system of constitutional monarchy in Malaysia as provided for by the Federal Constitution is not the same as systems in other countries.

“The term ‘royal coup’ is an insult to the royal institution in Malaysia and the sovereignty of the nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the council of former Malaysian elected representatives president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman said Muhyiddin’s appointment as prime minister symbolised the King’s wisdom in resolving the nation’s political uncertainty.

“It (the King’s decision) is stipulated in the provisions of the Constitution and is not outside its ambit.” – Bernama