The countdown has been reduced to four days for Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be anointed as UMNO President in the UMNO General Assembly, as he has been nominated uncontested for the top Umno post.
The countdown for his ascension as the sixth Prime Minister will be slightly longer as guestimates are that the Prime Ministerial hand-over will take place either on April 2 or 3.
Except that there is growing and unprecedented nation-wide disquiet and even dismay that Najib would become the next Prime Minister despite the many unresolved allegations hounding and haunting him raising serious questions about his fitness, integrity and legitimacy to occupy the highest political office of the land, to the extent that it had found expression in the public domain by concerned and patriotic Malaysians – a completely new political phenomenon in the nation’s 52-year history as this had never happened before during the tenure of the first five Prime Ministers of Malaysia about their ordained successors.
The latest voice to join the increasing chorus of doubters, sceptics and cynics about the propriety, suitability and legitimacy for Najib to become the next Prime Minister is none other than Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who, when asked in a Malaysiakini interview about the recent call by the former Law Minister, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, that the Yang di Pertuan Agong should reject Najib if Umno puts him forward as Prime Minister to replace Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said “it is possible for the Yang di Pertuan Agong may not appoint Najib as Prime Minister despite being Umno president”.
Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution provides that the Yang di Pertuan Agong shall appoint a Prime Minister “who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence” of the Dewan Rakyat.
I agree with Tengku Razaleigh that there is nothing in the Malaysian Constitution that binds the Yang di Pertuan Agong to appoint Najib as the next Prime Minister just because he is the Umno President, as the critical issue is the ability to “command the confidence of the Dewan Rakyat”.
For this reason, the Dewan Rakyat should be extended for another week or a special sitting should be held in April to debate a confidence motion on the new Prime Minister.
There is a precedent for this as three decades ago, when the second Prime Minister, Tun Razak died of leukaemia in London on January 14, 1976 and Tun Hussein Onn was sworn in as his successor.
The first thing Tun Hussein did was to convene a special sitting of Parliament in less than a fortnight on January 27, 1976 which adopted a motion of confidence in the third Prime Minister.
For the past 51 years, the first meeting of Parliament every year, which would be declared open by the Yang di Pertuan Agong, would be in March or April going often into May, but this year, it was brought forward to February – to suit the convenience of the UMNO General Assembly and the power transition next week.
If the traditional parliamentary time-table had not been interfered or trifled with, Parliament would currently be in session till next month or even May, and a confidence motion for a new Prime Minister would be an appropriate subject of current parliamentary agenda.
I therefore call for the present meeting of Parliament to be extended for another week or a special sitting should be held in April to debate a confidence motion on the new Prime Minister.
#1 by limkamput on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 2:06 pm
To PR and BN, it is easier to fix whatever problems concerning him before his appointment rather than after his appointment. It is for the good and future of this country. Do we still have some good men standing?
#2 by Godfather on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 2:12 pm
Najis should simply ask for a vote of confidence in Parliament, and then seek royal consent. However, I don’t think Rosie will agree since there is still a risk that she might not become 1st Lady – and we know who wears the pants in that household.
#3 by limkamput on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 2:26 pm
Dr M attacks Mukhriz’s “corrupt” rivals as reported in Malaysian Insider. Didn’t I tell you this was his real intention when he condemned money politics and UMNO Disciplinary Board? I therefore totally disagree with Sdr Lim’s posting on “Ali Rustam just don’t get it – he should seek enlightenment from Mahathir”. You only glorified him and his son.
#4 by bclee on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 3:05 pm
another article by Raja Petra that make my eye tearing:
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/19511/84/
#5 by Loh on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 3:22 pm
When TDM said that najib should appointed non-corrupt people into his Cabinet, he obvioulsy did not subject Najib to that standard. To him PM is above the law, other than AAB.
If that suggestion is to be taken in true spirit, is there any UMNO leaders from among the 2500 delegates and those standing for party positions who pass the test?
But of course TDM has a list. Whoever is included will be considered clean because TDM said so. That is TDM’s double standards.
#6 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 3:32 pm
A debate on a confidence motion on the new Prime Minister?
Yes but who will be moving such a motion that can procure our Parliamentary Speaker to allow it for debate – Opposition Head Anwar or yourself, Tengku Razaleigh or outgoing PM, Pak Lah ?
Not likely. It mean only the incoming Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak could, if he so desires. However why would he?
When sworn in as 3rd PM his successor, yes Tun Hussein Onn convened a special sitting of Parliament for a motion of confidence but surely Najib is no Tun Hussein Onn.
How would anyone be able to cajole Najib to act as Hussein Onn did?
It will be interesting if the Yang di Pertuan Agong requests for such a motion to help in his Majestry’s decision and determination of “who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence” of the Dewan Rakyat” in his constitutional duty of appointing a Prime Minister based on Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.
Again how would anyone be able to cajole the Yang di Pertuan Agong to recommend such a motion?
#7 by chris chong on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 4:17 pm
to all the MP of the components party of BN,
pls don’t align yourself to a murder suspect!!! your sons, your grandchildren would be ashamed of you!!!
#8 by pulau_sibu on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 6:41 pm
Dr. Mahathir called for Najiv to reject the corrupted politicians in the coming cabinet. But why did he then harboured so many corrupted persons in his cabinet, also the MBs and Chief Ministers? He would have cleaned up the mess for us, and why he didn’t do it??
#9 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 7:01 pm
Just exploring options: have you thought of a motion of confidence moved by Opposition for AAB to stay on as PM even if another will become president of UMNO in his stead in near future?
In light of obstacles, one has to work around 4 variables here:
1. The king must be satisfied that the prime minister of the day enjoys the confidence of the majority of the lower house by Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution;
2. How 222 Parliamentary MPs will vote with majority from BN;
3. Certainty that Speaker will generally block motion initiated by Opposition;
4. implications of such a motion if carried before UMNO General Elections.
Such a motion is an Opposition’s motion and is neutral in respect of question whether it respects or disrespects the personal wishes of AAB whether to retire or stay.
At the same time it is to express confidence in outgoing PM, so what is BN’s MPs or Speakers beef against it? The most important is BN’s whip (assuming that such motion were allowed): will it be enforced to block, thwart and frustrate an Opposition’s motion purporting to support and express confidence of BN’s chairman and UMNO president, albeit outgoing? Will all BN MPs be required to vote against a motion supporting their own existing albeit outgoing leader? Wouldn’t imposing such whip be incongruous? At the same time – think – what is the indirect inference of such a motion if allowed – and carried with 30 supporters of the motion from BN’s MPs?
The more important preliminary question is what happens if such a motion were blocked by Speaker from even being debated as is likely?
To which the question would next be, wouldn’t such blocking of motion constitute, in principle, a thwarting of a constitutional mechanism otherwise available to the Yang di- Pertuan Agong to measure who really still commands confidence of the majority of the lower house in lime with Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution (irrespective and independent of position whether one is or is not president of dominant party)?
If the Yang di- Pertuan Agong takes note that a constitutional mechanism for determining who still commands confidence of the majority of the lower house in line with Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution has been thwarted by such a motion being blocked from being moved and debated in the Dewan Rakyat without ciogent and reasonable basis, what is the inference the Yang di Pertuan Agong ought to properly draw?
Which raises the unprecedented next question of what the King should do next (than just follow convention).
#10 by yhsiew on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 7:58 pm
pulau_sibu Says:
Today at 18: 41.53 (48 minutes ago)
Dr. Mahathir called for Najiv to reject the corrupted politicians in the coming cabinet. But why did he then harboured so many corrupted persons in his cabinet…………..
====================================================
Tun M. intention is to get his son elected as Youth Chief in the upcoming UMNO elections. I do not think Tun M. is serious in combating corruption.
#11 by kluangman on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 8:29 pm
Jika UMNO berjaya membersihkan dirinya dari rasuah itu adalah petanda buruk kepada DAP dan rakan2nya tetapi cukup baik untuk rakyat.
Seperti Tun, Pakatan juga tidak bersungguh dan tidak mengharapkan UMNO bersih dari rasuah kerana itu memusnahkan impian mereka untuk menjadi kerajaan di PRU13 nanti.
#12 by lopez on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 9:37 pm
yes vote for motion of NO CONFIDENCE
Not qualified
Not Suitable
Not Aligned
Not Approriate
Not Have the requisite
Not have the Brains
Not Have the Skill
Not have the Capability
Not Have the Integrity
Not Have the Knowledge
Not even have any an intelligent opinion on simple things
Simply not Eligible at all…
On the contrary fully qualify to lead us to CONFUSION and merosot perlahan as he experiment with his HE_CON_MORE_nics solutions
#13 by Loh on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 9:47 pm
AAB can pretend that he did not promise a transition, and remains as PM. But how long can he last before he was charged in court, or more effectively leave under emergency rule? It has been clear to all that since he decided not to contest UMNO presidency, the AG and the police have ceased to respect his opinions. How they react to his order is anybody’s guess.
AAB will neither ask the King to dissolve parliament nor appoint another person other than Najib as PM. He would not put sands into his rice bowl.
Malaysians have no choice on the matter; the country can die a violent sudden death or die slowly but at accelerated rate comparing to the last five years.
TDM asked Najib not to appoint corrupt ministers as though he had done it before. If he did, then he had cultivated them as all those 18 sharks were fully grown during his time.
///”Melayu Kini Cemas”. In his 100-para address at the gathering of Malay NGOs under the Perkasa umbrella this morning, Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned the Malays that they are on the verge of losing their political power.///–http://rockybru.com.my/
It is clear that TDM never believes that Malaysians can ever have a share destiny and to TDM, political power is meant for bullying adversaries rather than to ensure that well designed policies for national interest do not get bogged down by politics. TDM understands only zero sum game, and as NewMalay he still presents himself as the old champion of Malays. In fact he found it necessary to justify his status as Malay in his recent writing on his blog, detailing the various aspects why he should be called Malay. The question of blood flowing in his veins was never discussed. Neither did not acknowledge that to Muslims the child of mixed marriages should be classifies as that of the father rather than that of the mother. By Muslim standard TDM was an Indian. As Indian he would not have caused so much racial polarization as he has done when article 160 (2) allows him to claim to be Malay. He did it to climb the political ladder and he succeeded in destroying Malaysia during his reign of 22 years. He is doing it on the eve of UMNO election to tell UMNO that his son has the right pedigree.
How one person can destroy the fate of 26 millions is something which is as difficult to accept as Najib becoming the new Prime Minister when he had not dispelled doubts of his involvement in …..
#14 by Tonberry on Sunday, 22 March 2009 - 11:52 pm
sori brader, saya lebih percaya matahari terbit di sebelah barat dari komen kamu yang melucukan tu..
#15 by Taxidriver on Monday, 23 March 2009 - 12:01 am
Matir said he supported Muhiiddin because of his clean record? He told Najib not to have corrupt people in his cabinet???????????????
What the hell is he trying to tell us? He talks like he is so very clean and innocent. Come on, Mamak, we know all the things you did during your 22 years in office. Malaysians are smarter than you think. You are the most corrupt in UNMO, despicable and a RACIST!
Personally, I would rate you as the worst among the PMs. You have done more disservice to the country than any other Malaysian leaders. And also I would suggest you go spend your remaining days in your Pulau Langkawi instead of making yourself look stupid by meddling in politics.
May you stay healthy to enjoy your ill-gotten gains. You may answer to God later.
#16 by voice out on Monday, 23 March 2009 - 12:32 am
This will become “MALAYSIA BOOK OF RECORD” .
why ?
We appointed the future PM that we dont have the chance to vote or voice out concern on the PM election …
#17 by taiking on Monday, 23 March 2009 - 8:50 am
SAY NO TO NAJIB.
NO TO NAJIB
YES
SAY NOTOJIB
#18 by kevchua on Monday, 23 March 2009 - 2:22 pm
“The first thing Tun Hussein did was to convene a special sitting of Parliament in less than a fortnight on January 27, 1976 which adopted a motion of confidence in the third Prime Minister”
===
Past leaders have principles, they have dignity. They know the rules of the game. Not leaders of today. Leaders of the 80’s till god-knows-when are different. Children of past leaders are unable to maintain their parents’ legacy. These modern time politicians are filled with arrogance, greed and ignorance. Worse of all, their attitudes creep into their supporters’ minds, and they be like them.
So, yes, have a motion of confidence on the in-coming Prime Minister. But will the Speaker allow it? Remember once (or twice) Pakatan suggested a motion of confidence but was rejected? It could well be the same now.
Perhaps, the “best way out” now is ro wait patiently for GE13. We’re economically unstable now. We are not giving up our struggle of getting a change, but looking at the current scenario, I think it’s better to just hold on and show our dissatisfaction in GE13.
#19 by ekans on Tuesday, 24 March 2009 - 12:09 am
///”Melayu Kini Cemas”. In his 100-para address at the gathering of Malay NGOs under the Perkasa umbrella this morning, Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned the Malays that they are on the verge of losing their political power.///–http://rockybru.com.my/
Actually, it should be ‘UMNO Kini Cemas’ & Dr. M was actually warning UMNO that it is on the verge of losing its political power…