PARLIAMENT should be allowed to determine whether Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has the support of the majority of its MPs, said veteran politician Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

“No-confidence motions should be given urgent attention in the Dewan Rakyat so that Muhyiddin’s leadership receives the proper confirmation from Parliament,” Tengku Razaleigh said in a letter –addressed to Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun dated September 25 – which was made public by the former’s office today.

Tengku Razaleigh said allowing Parliament to table the no-confidence motion is in line with Article 62 of the federal constitution.

The 83-year-old Gua Musang MP said the no-confidence motion against the prime minister is important to show that Muhyiddin’s government is supported by the majority of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

“And, if the no-confidence motion is backed by the majority of MPs, the matter should be referred to the king for further action,” said Tengku Razaleigh.

He told Azhar that, previously, Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Langkawi-Ind) said his bid to table a no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin was rejected twice as they were placed at the end of the order paper.

“As such, the Dewan Rakyat has not been able to debate the no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin,” said the 11-term MP.

Tengku Razaleigh is the longest sitting MP in the House, having been elected 11 times since 1974. The veteran leader is currently an Umno adviser.

In his reply, Azhar said the standing orders provided priority for the government’s bills and motions.

He said this was why Dr Mahathir’s motion, a private matter, had been moved down the order paper, and thus, claims that this was done to prevent the motion from being debated is not right.

According to Tengku Razaleigh, Article 43 of the federal constitution stipulates that Muhyiddin must get the majority of MPs to support him in Parliament in order for him to be prime minister.

“Without this support, his position cannot be confirmed and is against the constitution.

“Muhyiddin’s position as prime minister is based on the precondition he is supported by lawmakers. There are no provisions in the Standing Orders to stop the no-confidence motion from being debated as it is urgent.

“I hope the speaker will guarantee that the motion will be tabled in the November sitting and is given priority,” he said. 

The veteran MP said he will monitor whether Azhar’s reluctance to prioritise the no-confidence motions against Muhyiddin as a form of “negligence” against the constitution. 

Bribery 

Meanwhile, Tengku Razaleigh claimed Muhyiddin had offered him the post of Petronas chairman.

“But I rejected the offer as Article 48(1C) of the constitution states that MPs should not hold any offices of profit, failing which he is disqualified as an MP.

“This provision is to prevent lawmakers from supporting the government as a means of political corruption. 

“Political corruption has severely impacted our constitutional democracy. I fear if this is a hidden form of corruption.”

Tengku Razaleigh’s letter to Azhar was forwarded by his office to the media today. Attached to the query was Azhar’s reply dated September 29. – October 14, 2020.