Agong consented not to have confidence vote, says law minister
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob not to undergo a confidence vote in Parliament, de facto Law Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said.
According to him, this was conveyed during the weekly cabinet meeting.
"The Federal Constitution has given wide powers to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint the prime minister who he believes commands a majority and at the time, 114 MPs supported (Ismail Sabri).
"Every MP met with the Agong, and I do not think...
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob not to undergo a confidence vote in Parliament, de facto Law Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said.
According to him, this was conveyed during the weekly cabinet meeting.
"The Federal Constitution has given wide powers to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint the prime minister who he believes commands a majority and at the time, 114 MPs supported (Ismail Sabri).
"Every MP met with the Agong, and I do not think that in such a short time that they would change their position. If it's been six or seven months, then they may change their mind.
"It's unlikely for a change to happen in such a short time. Based on this, His Majesty had consented not to have one - there is no longer a need to hold a confidence vote," Wan Junaidi told journalists in Putrajaya today.
The Agong had previously decreed for the new prime minister to seek a confidence vote in Parliament.
No public announcement was made about the apparent change of position.
Meanwhile, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin also said that the king had informed Ismail Sabri about the decision.
"He didn't ask for (a confidence vote) now. He asked previously but he didn't ask after the appointment.
"Ask the Agong if he wants it. If he wants, we will do it because it's the Agong's power," Zahidi told Malaysiakini.
He said he did not want to create a precedent where the king's appointment needed to be affirmed in Parliament.
"We need the Agong's agreement to do it, not what the opposition wants," Zahidi added.
He went on to stress that the 114 MPs are solidly behind Ismail Sabri.
Ismail Sabri replaced Muhyiddin Yassin, who stepped down on Aug 16 after 15 Umno MPs withdrew their support for the Bersatu president as premier.
In a statement, the Agong had decreed that the new prime minister must seek a vote of confidence as soon as possible.
Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the process was necessary to determine the legitimacy of the new premier.
On Sept 4, Attorney-General Idrus Harun said there was no need for a vote of confidence because it would undermine the Agong’s constitutional powers.
A vote of confidence is not necessary as the king had already appointed Ismail Sabri as prime minister as per the Federal Constitution, said Idrus.
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