Boot out crude and insolent Attorney General, Pakatan demands

THE Pakatan Harapan presidential council today has called for Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun to be axed following his statement that the newly-minted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob need not to call for a confidence vote to legitimise his position as the country’s leader.

“We are shocked by his statement. It contradicts the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree on Aug 17, during a meeting with top party leaders at Istana Negara.

“As per media reports on Aug 18, the monarch has clearly stated that under Articles 40 (2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, the prime minister must seek a confidence vote at the Dewan Rakyat to legitimise his new role.

All party leaders agreed to abide by the Agong’s decree,” it said, in a statement.

The statement was signed by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng and Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu.

Yesterday, Free Malaysia Today reported Idrus as saying that Ismail need not seek a confidence vote at the Dewan Rakyat, arguing it would override the Agong’s absolute dissection on the matter.

“It is clear the appointment of the prime minister is a constitutional responsibility and His Majesty has absolute powers.

“The procedure to determine which MP has the majority in the Dewan Rakyat has been decided by His Majesty,” he was reported as saying.

Livid by Idrus’ interpretation of the Federal Constitution, Pakatan leaders reminded Idrus that he himself was present during the meeting when the Agong decreed on the importance of getting a confidence cote tabled.

They added that such matters were nothing unique as there were precedents to it. One was on Jan 27, 1976 when then Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn sought a confidence vote at the Dewan Rakyat to legitimise his premiership following the demise of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.

Idrus’ second blunder

On Nov 2, 2002, then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had also sought Dewan Rakyat’s confidence vote after taking over the mantle from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“So, where is the logic in saying that seeking a confidence vote would discredit the Agong? Besides, His Majesty himself decreed for it,” they stressed.

With that, Pakatan urged Ismail Sabri to ignore Idrus’ advice, unless he wants to follow his predecessor’s path in avoiding a confidence vote which resulted in political instability.

“As for Idrus, he is not only being insolent against Istana Negara but also breaching the Federal Constitution.

“This is the second time he is doing this and it’s obvious Idrus is not fit for the job,” it remarked.

Back in August, the Agong reprimanded Idrus and former Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for misleading the Dewan Rakyat on the issue pertaining to revoking the Emergency. – Sept 5, 2021.

 

 

 

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