Twentytwo13

Anwar wins vote of confidence, amid ‘Hoi, hoi, ya hoi’ and shouting match

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s position as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia was sealed today after he garnered enough support from Members of Parliament during the vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.

The exact number of votes is, however unknown, as voting was done through a voice vote.

Newly-appointed Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Datuk Johari Abdul, said more had agreed on the matter, and as such, the motion was passed.

The motion was earlier tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and was debated by more than 10 MPs across the divide.

They included opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut), Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan), Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan), Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (BN-Titiwangsa), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau).

Fadillah (GPS-Petrajaya) had earlier said that it was important for Anwar’s government to obtain the support of the MPs in the august house.

“It will boost confidence among investors, the business community and the people, and allow the government to best serve the rakyat,” said Fadillah.

The vote of confidence was taken after Anwar had called for the motion to be tabled in his first speech after being sworn in as prime minister on Nov 24.

A shouting match broke out among the elected representatives as they debated the matter.

At one point, Hamzah and Shahidan also sang verses from Altimet’s Aduh Malaysia (Hoi, hoi, ya hoi) in the Dewan Rakyat, as they debated. The song was made popular by Anwar during his election campaign.

The bedlam in the Dewan Rakyat even prompted Johari Abdul Ghani to urge the Speaker, Datuk Johari Abdul, to undergo health checks.

“It (your appointment) has only been for a day. I believe you have five more years,” said Johari Abdul Ghani.

“May I suggest that you do blood, and stress tests, every six months.”

Johari Abdul Ghani, had earlier said that the vote of confidence was important from an economic standpoint.

“Political stability is an important ingredient needed for any country to develop its economy. We also need a competent, experienced team with integrity to run the country,” said the representative from Titiwangsa.

“In the last four-and-a-half years, Malaysia has been trailing, in terms of growth, behind countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. It is because we cannot offer political stability to investors,” he added.

Johari Abdul Ghani also said that if the nation does not handle this matter carefully, Malaysia could end up like Sri Lanka.

Throughout the debate, PN MPs had opposed to the passing of the motion. They claimed it was not required, as Anwar’s position as prime minister was immutable when he was picked by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Those from PN had also questioned the validity of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by parties in the government, saying that it was unconstitutional.

On Friday, coalition parties in the government signed an MoU to support Anwar and his administration in any confidence motions or bills in the Dewan Rakyat.

Those who voted against the government would be deemed to have resigned as MP.

 

Main image by Sadiq Asyraf / Prime Minister’s Office, Malaysia