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KINIGUIDE | Anwar Ibrahim was finally granted his audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday, but that event has left more questions than answers.
What is certain is that Anwar has yet to prove to the Agong that he now has the numbers to form a new government.
This installment of KiniGuide will attempt to answer some questions posed by readers and editorial staff about the status of the “Anwar movement” and what could possibly follow.
Does Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin still have the numbers to rule?
Yes, unless Agong ultimately determines otherwise.
How can the Agong decide?
Based on various events that occurred in late February, Agong is able to interview all MPs about their loyalty.
So far, Agong has not indicated that a similar interview process will take place. What is certain is that some party leaders will likely be summoned to the palace eventually.
Is the word of the head of a political party good?
This is not clear at this time.
Article 43 (2) (a) of the Federal Constitution explicitly states that the Agong’s duty is to appoint a prime minister who “in his opinion is likely to enjoy the confidence of the majority” of the deputies.
The Federal Constitution does not recognize the term “party chief.”
Furthermore, individual MPs may not necessarily follow the party line during the vote in Parliament or when interviewed by Agong.
However, there was a precedent set in February. After interviewing the deputies, Agong still wasn’t sure who was running the majority. That is why he then interviewed the party leaders.
Is there a precedent where a list of Agong followers should be displayed?
We do not know.
What we do know is that Muhyiddin never made his list public in February, just as Anwar has refused to do so now. Malaysians only learned of the full list of Muhyiddin supporters in July when MPs voted in Parliament to remove Mohd Ariff Md Yusof for the speaker’s position.
Muhyiddin’s full roster at the time included all MPs from Umno (39), Bersatu (31), PAS (18), GPS (18), MCA (2), PBRS (1), PBS (1), Star (1), and MIC (1). Additionally, Muhyiddin has the support of independent lawmaker Lubok Antu, bringing the total supporters to 113.
Didn’t Umno President Zahid Hamidi say that “many” Umno MPs support Anwar?
That is irrelevant. No Umno MP has publicly declared their support for Anwar or withdrawn their support for Muhyiddin.
However, Zahid’s statement gave credence to Anwar’s claim that Muhyiddin had lost the parliamentary majority.
What is the most definitive way for Muhyiddin to prove his majority?
Muhyiddin may present a motion for a vote of confidence when Dewan Rakyat reconvenes on November 2.
Alternatively, you could wait for the vote on the 2021 Supply (Budget) Bill scheduled for November 23.
If confidence or budget votes are defeated, what happens next?
According to article 43 (4), once the prime minister ceases to have the confidence (support) of the majority of the deputies, he must resign or ask the Agong to dissolve Parliament.
Can the Agong deny its consent to dissolve Parliament?
Yes, but the Agong will have to determine which MP has the support of the most MPs.
This KiniGuide installment is compiled by ANDREW ONG.
