King can deny dissolution request and appoint new PM, say lawyers

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: With the rumour mill abuzz with speculation that the Cabinet will discuss the dissolution of Parliament today, constitutional lawyers say there is no obligation for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to accept any advice on what to do afterwards.

Dominic Puthucheary and Bastian Pius Vendargon both agree that the dissolution of Parliament is at the King’s discretion under the Federal Constitution. He can decide on the next course of action if an election is deemed unwise during the pandemic.

“The constitution then allows the King to choose the candidate most ‘likely’ to command majority support,” Puthucheary told FMT.

“The word ‘likely’ is used because the Agong does not know whether they have the confidence of the people and the Dewan Rakyat. The next step, as a matter of constitutional duty, is to go to the Dewan Rakyat and get a vote of confidence.”

- More -