By Emmanuel Samarathisa
PARLIAMENT Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof (pic) has accepted a motion of no confidence proposed by Langkawi MP Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh).
In a statement today, Mohamad Ariff said the motion would be brought up when Parliament convenes on May 18.
Three MPs, including Mahathir, brought forward a few motions to the Speaker. The other two MPs are Datuk Liew Vui Keong (Batu Sapi) and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Semporna).
Liew proposed four resolutions under Standing Order 18, Motion for Definite Matter of Urgent Public Importance, of which Mohamad Ariff said some were rejected while some were accepted.
The four are: a no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin, a confidence vote for Mahathir, that the one-day Parliament session on May 18 is unconstitutional, and that the upcoming sitting be extended to eight days.
Mohamad Ariff did not go into detail as to which items were accepted or rejected but cited public interest for those that were accepted.
It is understood that the third and fourth items regarding the May 18 parliamentary sitting have been accepted.
Shafie proposed a vote of confidence in Mahathir citing Article 43 of the Federal Constitution, which spells out the appointment of the prime minister and Cabinet, under Standing Order 27 (3) which requires 14 days’ notice. But this was rejected as Mohamad Ariff said the motion was not in line with Article 43.
Mahathir submitted two proposals. The first one, citing Standing Order 4, was requesting that Mohamad Ariff remain as the Speaker until Parliament is dissolved. The second one, citing Standing Order 27 (3) which requires 14 days’ notice, was to push for a vote of no confidence in Muhyiddin.
Mohamad Ariff rejected the first item because it goes against the Standing Orders but accepted the second one.
All the items that had been accepted by the Speaker will be dealt with on May 18, and these will be listed in the order paper for that sitting.
But Muhyiddin, as the leader of the House, has the right to deal with these items or ignore them.
Former Backbenchers Council chief coordinator Ong Ooi Heng said that once the Speaker accepted the motion, it would only be listed in the order paper and be left alone.
“Unless the PM gives precedence to the motion,” he told FocusM. “But sooner or later, the PM will have to deal with such a motion. Or else the question of legitimacy will keep arising.” — May 8, 2020
