Make the one with the majority the PM, says lawyer activists group

PETALING JAYA: Only the Prime Minister who can command the majority of Parliament must be appointed, says lawyer activist group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL).

Stating the need to uphold the Federal Constitution, LFL also said that a general election should only be called if Parliament is deeply divided and there is no one person with a commanding majority that is fit to be the prime minister.

LFL director Melissa Sasidaran said that in any democratic society, the government must be formed by the people and reflect the will of the people it represents.

“Constitutionally, it is now for the person who can command the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat to form the new government.

She added in a statement on Tuesday (Feb 25), that if no one is able to command the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat with a legal and transparent process, then it is proper for a fresh general election to be called.

Sasidaran said that this will allow the people the chance to vote once again and give a fresh and resounding mandate to the new Prime Minister and the government

She added that the reform process must not be derailed due to the political developments of the past few days.

“We refer to the political developments that resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday and the subsequent collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan) government,” said Melissa.

She said that the 14th General Elections (GE14) was unprecedented in Malaysia’s history, as people came out in force to vote for change and reject the politics of the past.

Melissa added that the new ruling coalition was elected for the first time since independence and said that while the Pakatan coalition was always going to face challenges, progress was being made towards genuine reform.

“Unfortunately, the coalition has also been tainted by the relentless tussle for power since GE14. Instead of building on the trust and goodwill of the people, this has jeopardised the momentous opportunity for change and disregarded the people’s mandate,” she said.

Melissa added that LFL urges elected representatives to firmly focus and continue with the reform process and not allow Malaysia to revert to the old politics that Malaysians voted to leave behind.

“We call upon all parties to work together for the betterment and future of the country, and not derail the important reform and progress already made thus far,” she said

Dr Mahathir tendered his resignation yesterday and is now the interim Prime Minister, until the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints a new prime minister.

Source: TheStar