PETALING JAYA: It is not treason to withdraw support for the government of the day led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says Bersatu's Sasha Lyna Abdul Latiff
The party's legal and constitutional bureau deputy head said that a withdrawal of support is part of democracy and added that it is permitted under Article 43 of the Federal Constitution.
“Under the Federal Constitution, a Prime Minister is appointed from the majority support of the MPs in the Dewan Rakyat. Hence, MPs are free to support whomever they choose,” said Sasha Lyna.
She said this in a press release on Sunday (Dec 31) in response to Community Communications Department (J-Kom) deputy director-general (community communications) Datuk Ismail Yusop.
Ismail had said that a “Dubai Move” to topple the unity government surfaced during a recent vacation of Perikatan leaders, including government officials, in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.
On this, Sasha Lyna said that it is irresponsible for Ismail to call such actions treasonous.
“For the Deputy Director-General of J-Kom to send warnings and threats in the media to MPs on which person they will support as PM in the Dewan Rakyat is itself a threat to parliamentary democracy,” said Sasha Lyna.
“It also raises a big red flag and seems to indicate that Anwar is prepared to instruct the Home Affairs Ministry, the Chief of Police and the national security authorities to crackdown on opposition leaders,” she added.
