KUALA LUMPUR: Branding the agreement established between members of the unity administration as illegal, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) has called the motion of confidence for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a mere gimmick.
Hamzah said the agreement restricts, spoils and deteriorates parliamentary democracy as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, as MPs were required to support the Prime Minister for several measures which was seen as legitimising the government of the day including the motion of confidence and supply bills.
He said political parties would also have to ensure that their MPs toed the line to the conditions of the agreement, as failure to do so would put the MP at risk of losing their seats and a by-election would have to be called to find a replacement for the seat
"In short, the cumulative impact of the provision in the agreement, requires MP’s from all parties in PH, BN, GPS, GRS and Warisan to vote as per the wants of YAB Tambun," he said while debating the motion of confidence.
"This goes against the basic principle of parliamentary democracy which is enshrined under the Federal Constitution and the laws of Malaysia.
"It is illegal, as it runs against the Federal Constitution and public policy, illegitimate and is not allowed as per the law," he added.
He added that lawmakers would be restricted from speaking the truth. He also questioned the fate of the public, if the freedom of lawmakers under Parliamentary democracy could be restricted.
"Additionally, Tambun cannot deny that there are many (in the ruling bloc) who disagree with the conditions in the agreement which is out of norm.
"In fact, MIC which is a Barisan Nasional component party has said that the agreement was not discussed and agreed by the Barisan Supreme Council. Is this the meaning of democracy Tambun?," he asked.
He said Anwar himself was aware that there were lawmakers who were "unwilling to be treated this way," adding that they were waiting for an opportunity to go against the "oppression" and fight for the people’s interest.
Currently, Pakatan leads the unity government with 81 seats, Barisan has 30 seats, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (23), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (six), Warisan (three), two independents and one each from Parti Bangsa Malaysia, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Malaysia and Muda.
Last Friday (Dec 16), these parties signed an agreement to commit to the Malaysia Unity Government led by Anwar.
He said Perikatan Nasional would continue its crusade with principle, adding that the coalition wants a government which was clean and had integrity.
He then went on to cite an article dated by foreign news agency Nov 24 Agenzia Nova entitled "Malaysia: first full-blown homosexual prime minister in an Islamic country."
This led to a tense moment to erupt in the House as RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) called the Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul to demand Hamzah to retract his "rude" and "impolite" remarks.
"It insults the prime minister but stern action has to be taken. The government has the responsibility to inform the whole world that Tambun have been pardoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," Hamzah said while referring to the two sodomy conviction that Anwar had faces.
"Tambun should take action against foreign agencies and not only those in the country. We do not want to be seen as jaguh kampung, said Hamzah.
