JULY 20 — Individuals holding positions in the government have been rightly reminded by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to observe discipline and refrain from attacking the Federal Government while campaigning in the state elections.

“We remind all candidates, especially those serving as ministers, deputy ministers or heads of agencies, that they are free to campaign on state issues. However, if they choose to do that (attack the Federal Government), they should step down from their positions,” Anwar said on Sunday (July 19).

This is especially when political attacks offend the constitutional principle of collective responsibility.

In the United Kingdom (UK), collective responsibility is a fundamental convention of the British Constitution, whereby the government is collectively accountable to Parliament for its actions, decisions and policies.

The British Constitution is unwritten; the Malaysian Constitution is.

Article 43(3) of the Federal Constitution says the Cabinet “shall be collectively responsible to Parliament.” So collective responsibility is not just a constitutional convention in Malaysia. It is embedded in the Constitution, the supreme law of the law.

If a member disagrees with the Cabinet’s decision, he or she must still publicly support it. Otherwise, the member must resign, like members of British Prime Minister Sir Keth Starmer’s government who resigned over disagreement over (a) cuts to the aid budget (minister for development Anneliese Dodds in February in 2025); (b) cuts to disability benefits (party whip Vicky Foxcrott in June 2025); and (c) military spending plans (secretary of state for defence John Healey and minister for the armed forces Al Carns in June 2026).

There were four earlier resignations in May for loss of confidence in the prime minister: minister for devolution, faith and communities Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls Jess Phillips, minister for victims and tackling violence against women and girls Alex Davies-Jones, minister for health innovation and safety Zubir Ahmed and secretary of state for health and social care Wes Streeting. (Source: Institute for Government)

Since 1979, there have been less than 10 sackings of British ministers. (Source: Institute of Government, “Ministerial resignations outside reshuffles since 1979”)

In the UK, sackings are rare. More often, ministers leave of their own accord — that is, resign.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.