The Sultan has the power to select the MB, only if the person is someone who has the command and the confidence of the majority of the members of the Assembly, asserts Gurdial Singh Nijar.
The Sultan’s private secretary says that command of the majority support of the members of the state assembly is not the only basis for appointing a Menteri Besar (MB). Other factors may also be taken into account, such as skill, experience, integrity and ability of the state assemblyperson.
A few legal experts and commentators seem to support this view, attributing absolute discretion in the choice of an MB.
This position does not seem to be consonant with an interpretation of the state constitution, the decision of our highest court as well as by convention.
The Federal Court in Nizar v Zambry acknowledged that the Sultan had the prerogative power to select the MB: “The Sultan in the exercise of his royal prerogative under art XVI(2)(a) of the Perak State Constitution is at liberty to appoint another MB to replace Nizar”.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
But it went on to say: “But His Royal Highness must appoint someone who has the command and the confidence of the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly”.
This, then, is the criteria established by our highest court for the selection of the MB, based on an interpretation of the provisions of the state constitution.
The Selangor Constitution also gives the Sultan discretion to appoint the MB in Article 55(2)(a).
But Article 53(2)(a) provides the criteria for the selection of the MB. He “shall” (that means, “must”) select a person who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly. Hence the basis for the selection is spelt out clearly.
This was the identical provision that prompted the Federal Court to hold that this criteria applied in the case of the Perak MB crisis.
That this is the sole criteria is made clearer still when the Federal Court goes on to say that it is always open to bring a vote of no confidence against the chosen MB in the legislative assembly OR make a representation to the Sultan at any time if it is thought that the selected MB does not enjoy the support of the majority of the members of the legislative assembly.
Conventional practice also yields the same conclusion, as stated time and again by high constitutional authority in the UK. (Our constitution is based on the UK Westminster model of governance.)
…in reality the Queen’s prerogative is governed by the fundamental constitutional convention, grounded in political necessity, that she must appoint as PM the man or woman who can form a government which will have the confidence of the House of Commons. Normally this convention clearly indicates the party leader who, having majority support in the House, has an indisputable claim to be appointed.
In my respectful submission, this is the only criteria as set out in the Selangor Constitution and repeatedly declared by our highest court in selecting an MB, and further supported by convention, aside of course, from the other pre-qualifications (being of the Malay race and a Muslim and not a citizen by naturalisation).
Gurdial Singh Nijar is a professor of law at the University of Malaya.
Source: The Malaysian Insider
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Election is all about the choice of the majority. It is as simple as that. Therefore, it is simply befuddling that other bases of selection are thrown into the process of selection, more so if it involves one as critical as the MB post. Wouldn’t this make a mockery of the election process which is the bedrock of every democratic institution? Or even worse, it create opportunities for election losers to manoeuvre themselves through the backdoor into positions which they lay claim to.
As suggested by the member from DAP the only solution to the present problem is to have a fresh state election in Selangor. It will then show who the voters want and support and last of all who will become the MB. Right now all the PAS members are of the illusion that they are all elected because of what they are. I will gladly bet a hundred thousand ringgit donation to any charitable organisation named by PAS, if the same PAS members will be reelected. You can even bet that the some of the present assembly men might even loose their deposits !