PM bound by constitution too, not just King, AG told

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: The attorney-general cannot disregard the question of the legitimacy of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s government when stating that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must act on the advice of the Cabinet.

Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim said that while the King is bound by the Federal Constitution, the same applied to the prime minister, who must command majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

“This is something that is being disputed. This very question of whether Muhyiddin enjoys majority support or not, is critical,” he said.

Article 43 of the Federal Constitution, Zaid added, makes clear that the PM is not just an office holder but someone who enjoys the support of the majority in Parliament, and that only if this condition is fulfilled, does the King need to act on his advice.

“We cannot have a government that does not enjoy majority support. It stops becoming democratic. It stops becoming a government of the people. The system simply breaks down.”


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