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KUALA LUMPUR: There is no indication that Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is losing the support of Members of Parliament (MPs) and therefore making motions of confidence is not currently a priority for the government, said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan.
Takiyuddin was responding to a parliamentary question on Thursday (10 December) from Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, who asked whether the 25 motions of no confidence and the two motions of confidence filed on Muhyiddin’s position would be presented, debated and voted on. in parliament.
Mr. Takiyuddin stressed that while deputies can present these motions, Rule 15 (1) of the Rules of Parliament states that government business must take precedence over other matters during a parliamentary session.
“Given that there is no indication that Pagoh MP (Mr Muhyiddin) has lost support, (and that) the government believes that the motions of no confidence and confidence are specific motions and (should) be based on the needs of the people, I am sure that this House knows that they are not something that should be prioritized, ”said Mr Takiyuddin.
He explained that Muhyiddin remained Malaysia’s legitimate prime minister as he was appointed by the king following due process in March, after gaining the support of 114 MPs, more than half of the 222 federal MPs.
Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan. (File photo: Bernama)
Takiyuddin also pointed out that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had claimed in September that he had the support of the majority of MPs to be prime minister.
However, the de facto law minister noted that after Anwar’s audience with the king in October, the palace issued a statement noting that Anwar only submitted the total number of MPs who supported his candidacy, but not a list. Complete that identifies who the deputies are. They were to strengthen their claim.
READ: Malaysia Budget 2021: Five ‘Improvements’ to Initial Proposal and Possible Implications
Muhyiddin, who drove Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia out of Pakatan Harapan to join forces with Barisan Nasional and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia to form the federal government in late February, has only a very small majority in the House.
In October, it sought to declare a state of emergency as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continued to rise.
The proposed state of emergency would have suspended parliament, which was due to present and debate the 2021 budget in November and December. However, the king had rejected the suggestion.
On November 26, the budget was approved at the policy stage after a voice vote. Only 13 MPs rose to protest the vote, fewer than the 15 needed to enforce the block vote.
As of Thursday, budget allocations for each individual ministry that had been presented at the committee stage were also approved by block or voice vote.
Mr. Takiyuddin stressed that this was another indication that Muhyiddin still had the support of the majority of MPs.
He noted that the opposition had previously stated that if the 2021 national budget is not approved, it would be a “reflection that the prime minister has lost the support of the majority.”
But the budget was approved on November 26 with a voice vote, with little disagreement from MPs, he said.
“This is on record in this House. Therefore, it does not make sense to say that there has been a reduction or loss in majority support for Pagoh (Mr. Muhyiddin),” he added.
