1. THE film Fallen stars Denzel Washington as a detective in a battle for humankind against Azazel, the fallen angel of religious scriptures. In it, the detective pursues, as he is himself pursued by Azazel, who is intent on causing the utmost destruction to humankind by turning man against each other. Along the way, Azazel possesses random strangers who were incognisant of the fact that they were under the spell, and doing the deeds of the fallen angel. Each time a man is possessed, Azazel sings Time Is On My Side, as Azazel is under the illusion it is a timeless being not held to account.

2. I refer to this film because the traits of Azazel draws an uncanny resemblance to our dear prime minister. Some call it narcissism, others call it megalomania. I believe it’s something else.

3. You see, unlike a narcissist, the problem with our dear PM is it’s not all about him, but it is all about his belief of how the game should be played – hence the “Scheme of Things”. Even though he may be displaying severe tendencies for megalomania, he continues with his destructive ways (despite the loss of majority) either himself or by pulling others into the web of destruction, not unlike Azazel in Fallen. Like Azazel, he seems to think that time is on his side.

4. Since the Sheraton Move, the entire world has taken notice of the immoral means by which our current government took power, even though we didn’t realise it. In this aspect, a thing immoral is not necessarily a thing illegal. Hence why this government continued to cling on to power the past 18 months – on a technicality simply because our laws do not write in that a government must govern morally or with integrity. When you think about it, Azazel, too, has the by-law to cause human destruction.

5. But the events of the past few months have brought greater scrutiny on this particular point of immorality v illegality, enough to warrant attention by the global media at the slightest move by either party.

6. To recap, back in April, the nation’s sovereign, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, equested the PM to table the Emergency Ordinances to Parliament so they could be debated, passed by the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, so that the Agong can sign off his consent on it. Legitimate leaders would have had no problems to accede to this request. But not our PM.

7. Fast-forward to the Parliamentary sitting on July 26, the de facto law minister brazenly declared that the cabinet had revoked the Emergency Ordinances on July 21. The king immediately and strenuously denied his assent to this revocation.

8. This set the ball rolling and allegiances have been traded back and forth like a world championship game of table tennis. As we enter August, it is clear that the PM has lost his majority support and he is defeated by a simple arithmetic problem.

9. And again, on August 11, the PM was asked to resign as he had clearly lost the majority support of the members of the Dewan Rakyat. The Agong had done his maths. But the PM’s abacus apparently broke into several pieces so he couldn’t confirm his numbers and remains clueless.

10. Legally, when the PM ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the House as required by Article 43(a) of the federal constitution, the PM MUST abide by the provisions of Article 43(4) of the federal constitution. He must of necessity, request the king to dissolve Parliament or otherwise resign as PM. The law is very clear about this.

11. And this is where the whole issue of a thing immoral v a thing illegal comes into play.

12. Simply put, by refusing to either dissolve Parliament or resign from his post, Muhyiddin has clearly crossed the line. He is in the realm of illegal governance, being in breach of Article 43 of the federal constitution.

13. Let me elaborate.

14. Before, the government was immoral in its ascent and cling to power for it chose to govern through deception and manipulation so as to avoid illegal acts. Our democratic system though, still had checks and balances, most notably through the sanctity of the monarchy and royal institutions that provide a check and balance to the powers vested into the politics of old men.

15. Yet Muhyiddin and his band of whoring thieves chose to thumb their noses to the king’s repeated advice, even going so far as to declare that the Agong and the royal institutions are subject to political directives. But legally, he treaded on grey areas of the federal constitution in this matter. Immorality and lack of integrity apparently was not a problem for him and he chose to NOT do the right thing so long as he is still legally in power.

16. But now, with the very public declarations of shifts in allegiance (and might I add, physical seats in Parliament), the law is clear. Muhiddin and his merry band MUST resign or request to dissolve Parliament. There are no grey areas here between immorality and illegality.

17. Imagine, what it says of us as Malaysians as a whole when we are represented by men who disregard morality and legality in their conduct?

18. What example does it portray to our children where power and greed are valued above all else, even by those professing to be warriors of our faith?

19. Who are we as Malaysians if we continue to allow Muhyiddin and his merry band continue to abuse the power given to them, especially at this most crucial of times?

20. Not unlike Azazel in Fallen, the PM seems to act as though time is on his side. But divine law, unlike manmade law is very clear – Azazel’s and by extension Man’s time is limited, and both will most definitely be held to account morally and legally.

21. Until such time, Man must ensure our own manmade laws continue to attempt a moral and lawful existence for the good of mankind, and the good of Malaysia. – August 15, 2021.

* Tariq Ismail is a Pejuang central executive council member and head of international affairs bureau.

* 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.