DEC 19 — Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) questioned the need to conduct a motion of confidence for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, saying it was unnecessary considering Anwar’s appointment has been “legitimised” by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
A shouting match ensued. It was unnecessary.
Both sides of the divide should have read the Hansard and be informed that there are two precedents of a newly-sworn prime minister being put to motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.
The first was a motion of confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Hussein bin Onn who was sworn in as prime minister on January 15, 1976 following the death of Tun Abdul Razak in London on January 14, 1976.
The second motion of confidence was in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi who was sworn in as prime minister on October 31, 2003 after Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down as the fourth prime minister.
Both motions were agreed and passed by the Dewan Rakyat after a two-hour debate.
None of the above motions was seen and taken as unnecessary considering the prime minister’s appointment had been legitimised by the Agong.
As such, a motion of confidence in the prime minister in the Dewan Rakyat after his appointment by the Agong under Article 43(2)(a) is legit.
It’s the same old same old parliamentary proceedings. And all this while the people are being affected by floods in five states, with the situation expected to worsen based on warnings issued by the meteorological department.
Now, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has filed a motion for the Dewan Rakyat sitting tomorrow to discuss the urgent issue of flooding in the nation, especially in the peninsular east coast states.
According to a Facebook post by the Muda president, the motion was submitted under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2), which pertains to how MPs can request Parliament to discuss a matter that is “definite, urgent, and of public importance.”
The people are calling out to their elected representatives: Enough with the same old same old.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.