New PM must prove support in Dewan Rakyat, says King

Politics
18 Aug 2021 • 2:16 PM MYT
Daily Express
Daily Express

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PETALING JAYA: The country’s next prime minister must prove his majority in Parliament, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has decreed.

In a statement, Istana Negara said the King relayed this to political party leaders during an audience yesterday.

“His Majesty decreed that the prime minister he appoints according to the Constitution has to table a motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.”

The King also said all parties must work together without a winner-take-all situation.

The Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the King had also urged the statutory declarations from 220 MPs to be submitted by 4pm today so as to decide on the new prime minister.

The King also told political parties present that the people should have not been burdened by “never-ending political chaos” at a time when the country is facing Covid-19 and economic issues.

He told all political party leaders to work as a team and that there are no winners and losers in the current scenario.

The monarch stressed to the legislators to give their best service to the country at a time when the healthcare service is at “worrying levels” and the frontliners experiencing exhaustion due to the increased number of cases.

The King also urged the continuation of existing government policies, especially the national Covid-19 immunisation programme and the national recovery plan.

The King and his deputy Sultan Nazrin Shah also said an election was out of the question given the Covid-19 crisis urging legislators to unite to iron out national issues.

Separately, the King said he would chair a special meeting of the Rulers’ Conference this Friday to discuss current issues.

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