TWO days ago, the coalition in the unity government signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to support Anwar Ibrahim’s administration in all matters of confidence and supply, guaranteeing its stability.

The agreement has raised a questionable legal issue in clause 4b, which states:

“Setiap parti-parti dan pihak-pihak hendaklah memastikan bahawa setiap ahli parlimen mereka mengundi menurut klausa 4(a) di atas. Kegagalan, keengganan atau kecuaian dari membuat demikian hendaklah diambil kira sebagai pelanggaran tanggungjawab ahli parlimen secara individu kepada parti itu, yang dianggap sebagai perletakkan jawatan dan/atau pemberhentian daripada menjadi ahli parlimen dan bahawa kerusi beliau dikosongkan dalam kerangka maksud Artikel 49A(1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Parti ahli parlimen tersebut hendaklah mengeluarkan notis kepada Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat atas pengosongan tersebut menurut Artikel 49A(1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan untuk memberi notis kepada Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya untuk mengadakan pilihanraya kecil.”

The above clause means that an MP who does not vote along with his or her party is deemed to have resigned and ceases to hold the position as a member of parliament, and his seat will deemed vacant according to article 49A(1) of the Federal Constitution.

It is humbly submitted that the clause violates one’s freedom of right under article 10 of the Constitution. This is because the right to vote falls under an individual’s rights and is something that the party as a collective cannot compel someone to vote along party line.

Such clause tends towards an absolute dictatorship when MPs are not given their rights to vote freely, and this would give a wrong perception to the public.

As such, clause 4(b) of the agreement goes against the spirit of article 49A, which is unconstitutional. This is because article 49A itself does not disqualify the MPs on this basis.

Be that as may be, the true meaning and purport of article 49A will only be known if the clause is challenged in court.

Nonetheless, one invalid clause does not affect the other clauses in the agreement. The agreement can be said to be constitutional. – December 19, 2022.

* Matilda George reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.