Anwar to proceed with confidence vote despite supposed majority


Ravin Palanisamy

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he also has to consider the legitimacy of his government from the political aspect, so a vote will proceed as planned. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 28, 2022.

PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will face a vote of confidence in parliament to prove he has the backing of the House and address questions of the government’s legitimacy.

The prime minister was responding to comments on Saturday by Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, who said it was unnecessary for Anwar to do so, because he clearly had the support of more than 140 MPs. 

“Ramkarpal has interpreted it based on the Federal Constitution, because there is a clear majority.

“This is not just about the constitutional requirements, we also have to consider the legitimacy from the political aspect, so we will still proceed with the motion of confidence on December 19,” he said following a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting in Kuala Lumpur today. 

In a Facebook post, Ramkarpal said the need for a vote of confidence is guided by constitutional convention, which is also the case in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.

Former UK prime minister Boris Johnson survived a vote of confidence in June 2022, as did Theresa May in 2018.

Ramkarpal said it was clear neither had comfortable majorities and, as such, there was a need to test their support.

In his first press conference upon being appointed as prime minister, Anwar said he would face a confidence motion in Parliament as the first order of business. – November 28, 2022.


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