MALAYSIA’s changing political landscape meant there was no guarantee a Malay would become prime minister, Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said today.
The Bersatu president and former prime minister was responding to former DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang’s controversial comment about the possibility of a non-Malay being appointed prime minister in his recent speech to Malaysian students in the United Kingdom.
He said the law shackled MPs to adhere to their party leaders’ decision, including if the leaders supported a non-Malay as prime minister.
He brought up the aftermath of the 2022 general election, where no party or coalition managed to attain a simple majority to form the government on their own.
The Pagoh lawmaker said in a similar, future scenario, MPs would have to just comply if their party leaders decide to support a non-Malay prime minister.
“If they don’t, they risk losing their party membership, being forced to vacate their seat, and being asked to pay millions of ringgit in compensation,” he said on Facebook.
In such a situation, he said, a non-Malay would become prime minister and the Malays would not be able to do anything even if they are against it.
Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad had suggested the government amend the Federal Constitution so only Malay-Muslims could hold office, pointing to the anti-party hopping law as paving the way for a non-Malay to become prime minister.
Lawyers for Liberty said Wan Fayhsal’s suggestion was “textbook racism”. – December 15, 2023.
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