KUALA LUMPUR: The perception that the Conference of Rulers can intervene in all government administrative matters to the extent of sacking or calling for the resignation of a prime minister must be corrected, said a legal practitioner.
In an interview with the Sinar Harian newspaper published today, Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said there was no specific provision which stated that the Agong could dismiss the prime minister.
He said under Article 43(3) of the Federal Constitution, the prime minister can only step down if he has lost the trust of a majority of the Dewan Rakyat members.
“We must abide by the powers which have clearly been given by the Federal Constitution to each branch of the administration within the concept of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
“The people must be given the correct explanation on the extent of the power of the royal institution in the constitution,” he said.
In the newspaper report, Salehuddin also hit out at former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who urged the Conference of Rulers to intervene in his efforts to replace the prime minister, when he himself had at one time belittled the royal institution.
He said he was puzzled about this as Dr Mahathir had withdrawn (certain) powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the rulers (while he was Prime Minister) but now suddenly stressed on the important role of the Conference of Rulers and it was needed to safeguard the people and nation.
“Doesn’t Tun Mahathir feel any shame to the royal institution which he seems to be using to achieve an objective?
“Isn’t he afraid that he may be said to use the Conference of Rulers to achieve whatever he wants?” he said. -- Bernama