PAS leader calls for fresh mandate if DAP exits cabinet

A PAS leader has argued that Malaysians should be given the opportunity to decide the country’s future direction through a fresh mandate if DAP withdraws from the cabinet.

Party assistant secretary-general Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil said such a move would go beyond a mere administrative reshuffle, warning that it would signal a loss of cohesion within the unity government.

“If DAP decides to withdraw from the Madani government cabinet, then it is no longer merely an issue of administrative reshuffle.

“It is proof that the government built in the name of ‘unity’ has begun to lose cohesion and trust among its own coalition partners,” he said on his social media account, as reported by Harakah.

However, Khairul (above) acknowledged that constitutionally, the government would not automatically collapse if DAP MPs continued to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Declining confidence

Despite this, the Johor PAS deputy commissioner questioned how the administration could continue to claim stability if one of its coalition partners was no longer willing to share responsibility for governing the country.

He said a party’s withdrawal from the cabinet would reflect declining confidence in the government’s leadership.

Khairul stressed that Malaysians did not want a government that remained in power merely because it still commanded enough numbers in Parliament.

Instead, he said the country needed an administration built on cohesion, a clear direction and the full confidence of all coalition partners.

His remarks came after DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said party delegates would decide at the party’s national congress on Aug 16 whether DAP should remain part of the unity government until the end of the parliamentary term.

Loke said delegates would vote on a motion regarding the party’s continued participation in the administration, including whether its representatives should continue serving in the cabinet.

‘Let the people decide’

Khairul also pointed to the political crisis in Malacca, where he said a government could technically remain in power despite facing a serious loss of confidence.

In Malacca, four DAP assemblypersons resigned from all government positions and withdrew from the state administration in protest against a proposed constitutional amendment bill that would allow the appointment of unelected assemblypersons.

Khairul argued that if a similar situation occurred at the federal level, the prime minister should seek a fresh mandate from voters.

“The most dignified and democratic path is to seek the dissolution of Parliament and return the mandate to the people.

“Let the people decide whether they still want to continue with a government that is divided from within.

“Or whether they choose a new government that is more stable, more convincing and truly capable of governing the country,” he said.

Khairul said democracy was not merely about holding on to power, but about maintaining the trust and confidence of the people.

“When that confidence begins to disappear, then the mandate should rightly be returned to the true owners of power, namely the people,” he added.

PKR downplays impact of DAP exit

Responding to Khairul’s remarks, PKR deputy secretary-general Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad said DAP’s potential withdrawal from the cabinet would not affect the government’s administration, as all Madani-aligned parties would continue working together.

He said DAP would likely continue providing checks and balances and contribute its experience to the administration even if its ministers and deputy ministers stepped down.

They would also continue serving their parliamentary constituencies, he added.

“The presence of DAP representatives in the Madani administration brings no negative impact, other than being used as an excuse by irresponsible parties to stir up unwarranted sentiment,” Saifuddin said in a statement today.

“The excellent performance and administration of the Anwar-led government will directly answer the disputes and perceptions that have been stirred up, particularly during the last two state elections.

“The people will begin to realise that stability and economic prosperity are the answer to all the social confusion currently circulating,” he asserted.

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