Pre-Cabinet Meetings

• 16 April 2020
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Many Malaysians may be interested to learn that the Agong reportedly held a “pre Cabinet meeting” with unconfirmed Prime Minister  Muyhiddin by electronic means. The report in question makes no mention as to whether this meeting was a “one off” due to the virus situation or an “arms length” version of an established practice.

The distinction is an important one going to the fundamental basis of the Constitution. As Malaysia enjoys a written Constitution it should be a simple matter for those concerned to quote the provision that requires consultation of this kind. If it were to transpire in the UK that the Prime Minister was required, or even chose, to consult the Monarch before Cabinet meetings he would be out of office before he could say the traditional “Jack Robinson”

As all Malaysians will know the voters elect a government and the leader of  the majority party becomes Prime Minister. That is how democracy works; or is supposed to. In countries where there is a written Constitution the appointment of a Prime Minister is prescribed,whether the vacancy arises from individual volition or as the result of a general election. In the former case the Agong is required to call on the person who, in his opinion, can command a majority in the Assembly, to demonstrate that.

In the latest case of a prime ministerial appointment it is public knowledge, publicly undenied, that, after interviewing all MLA s on a one to one basis such a person emerged. But he did not get the charge to form an Administration. That was confided to a minor political figure whom almost no one among MLAs had supported during the “personal” interviews. Of course such a nominee has to obtain majority support in the Assembly when, if ever, it is called to meet on the matter and  at that point the bubble will burst. The major victim will not be the puppet “pretender”