The Dewan Rakyat needs a specific provision in its standing orders to allow a vote of no confidence against the prime minister to be properly tabled and debated, says an opposition lawmaker.
Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) argued that Standing Orders 15 and 27 could hinder tabling such motions because government business takes priority and the speaker has broad discretion in the matter.
“In the UK, New Zealand and even the Lok Sabha in India, there is a specific provision for a vote of confidence. Here, we don’t have that,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today, adding that any no-confidence vote should be by secret ballot so that MPs can vote freely.
In India, for example, Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha Rules allows any MP to file a no-confidence motion. This must be supported by at least 50 members and is given priority for debate.
By contrast, in Malaysia, any motion must go through Standing Order 27, but Standing Order 15 prioritises government business, effectively blocking debate unless the government allows it.
“This is the problem … There’s no real avenue for a no-confidence vote to be debated unless the government allows it,” Kiandee said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had on several occasions dared his rivals to table a parliamentary motion, saying he had already asked the Dewan Rakyat speaker to give priority to the motion if it was tabled.
He repeated the challenge after opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin hinted at such a move during the Turun Anwar rally on July 26.
The opposition bloc has consistently questioned Anwar‘s grip on the 222-seat Parliament since he became prime minister in November 2022.
Hamzah also repeatedly threatened to file a no-confidence motion, saying it could happen “any time: tomorrow, next week or next election”.
‘Anti-hopping law being undermined’
Kiandee also criticised the anti-hopping law after the Court of Appeal upheld Speaker Johari Abdul’s decision not to vacate the seats of four Bersatu MPs who pledged support to Anwar.
“I want to ask: is this Parliament happy about what is happening here? We passed this law to prevent MPs from jumping (from one party to another).
“I want to ask the members here: is this what you wanted? If not, something must be done to fulfil the intention and spirit of the law.”
Kiandee urged fellow MPs to support amending the anti-hopping legislation to close existing loopholes and make it enforceable in such situations.
“If this isn’t what you want, then you must support efforts to improve this law.
“Otherwise, speaker, we might as well repeal it. Let everyone jump here and there. Let that happen if that’s what we want.
“But if that’s not what we want, then all of you must support strengthening this Act.”
