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Ismail appointed by Agong, no need Dewan vote, says AG

Idrus Harun says any requirement for further validation would call into question the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the prime minister's appointment.

Staff Writers

September 4, 2021 7:00 PM2 minute read

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Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah presents the instrument of appointment to Ismail Sabri Yaakob at his swearing-in ceremony as the ninth prime minister of Malaysia at Istana Negara, Aug 21. Photo: Bernama

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Attorney-General Idrus Harun today said there is no need to legitimise the appointment of Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister or his government as it was established according to law, adding that any requirement for further validation would call into question the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the matter.

In a statement, he said if Ismail’s appointment needed to be legitimised by any party other than the Agong, it would mean that the king’s absolute power could be superseded.

“This move would not be in line with the provisions of the Federal Constitution and would deny the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as enshrined in the constitution,” he said.

Ismail was sworn in as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister on Aug 21, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin who lost his fragile majority after a group of Umno MPs aligned with their president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former leader Najib Razak withdrew their support for him.

He took his oath of office with the support of 114 out of 220 MPs.

Ismail was appointed to the country’s top office following a rigorous process by Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah to determine which of the MPs possessed the majority support.

Idrus said the Agong had held audiences with the leaders of the country’s main political parties on Aug 17, adding that all 220 MPs had been asked to submit statutory declarations to the palace stating their candidate of choice for prime minister.

“Following the receipt of the statutory declarations, His Majesty consented to audiences with 114 MPs on Aug 19 to confirm their support for Ismail as prime minister,” he said.

“On Aug 21, the new prime minister was sworn in according to Article 43(6) of the Federal Constitution.

“In line with the careful and transparent process undertaken by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint the ninth prime minister as stated above, it is clear that the appointment of Ismail as prime minister was valid and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Constitution.”