KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's move to strike a deal with his coalition partners ahead of a confidence vote on Monday shows he is not convinced of his majority in Parliament.
He said the inked memorandum of understanding (MoU) might also be illegal as MPs tied to the deal risked losing their seats if they did not support Anwar.
"This agreement is contradictory to Article 49A of the Federal Constitution which requires members of the Dewan Rakyat to vacate their seats only if they hop parties. The anti-party hopping law does not prevent the rights and freedoms of MPs to vote.
"No part of Article 49A requires a member of the Dewan Rakyat to vacate their seats if they do not go with the party’s directive in a vote count for motions or bills,” he said in a statement here today.
Muhyiddin said the law only affects those who switched allegiance on their own or those sacked from the party following disciplinary issues.
"This unconstitutional agreement makes it seem as if the Prime Minister is not sure he will get the majority of the MP's support.
"If he was confident, he will not have to resort to making such an unconstitutional move.
"Moreover, I worry that if this agreement becomes enforceable, the Pakatan Harapan leadership will force MPs to vote a certain way for other constitutional amendments in the future,” he said.
Muhyiddin said if this 'dictatorial agreement' is considered valid, then there will be constitutional amendments which go against the conscience of the MPs.
"The values of the country will be compromised with amendments that was made by force,” he said, adding that it would be an undemocratic government.
The MoU was signed yesterday by Anwar, Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
