I am intrigued by the latest news reports online quoting the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi as saying that an Umno leader is leading an attempt to topple the Najib government “using the backdoor”.

Citing “trusted sources”, Zahid said there is an attempt to obtain statutory declarations (SD) of opposition and Barisan Nasional MPs to claim that they have the voice of the majority.

Is Zahid referring to former Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who though sacked at DPM is still the UMNO Deputy President or some other UMNO leader?

Be that as it may, “toppling” Najib as Prime Minister is no crime and cannot fall under the ambit of Section 124B of the Penal Code on “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy” as this is part and parcel of parliamentary democracy, unless the proposed “toppling” of the Prime Minister and the government is by “violent and unconstitutional” means.

It is unfortunate that it is Zahid who is warning about the “toppling” attempt as if it is some heinous crime which would face the full weight of the law, when this should be accepted as an integral process of parliamentary democracy, provided there is a new majority in Parliament which supports a new Prime Minister and government by peaceful, democratic and constitutional means, including the use of Sds.

It is time that Zahid and UMNO/BN government learn the true precepts and principles of parliamentary demoracy, that there is nothing criminal, illegal or undemocratic if there is a new majority of MPs who feel that there should be a change of Prime Minister and government by peaceful, democratic and constitutional means, although this would normaly be referred to as the toppling of the incumbent Prime Minister and government.

(Speech at the DAP kopitiam dialogue in Bukit Gambir, Johor on Saturday 15th August 2015 at 12.30 pm)