“You cannot topple a menteri besar or a prime minister without a no-confidence vote in the assembly. There is no other provision…Umno-Barisan Nasional was too careless and did not wait for an assembly but instead asked the ruler to sack the menteri besar…As far as I know, there is no such provision in the Perak or Federal Constitution.”
FORMER Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, on Sultan Azlan Shah’s decision to ask embattled Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to resign. Mahathir said the BN “should have followed the laws of the country, especially the constitution.” He said the BN in Perak “started on the wrong foot, and now people are against us.” (Source: Dr M says Perak grab unlawful, The Malaysian Insider, 14 Mar 2009)
“They have to accept the decision as the sultan has made a very careful interpretation based on the laws.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) on the BN’s takeover of Perak. Abdullah warned the PR not to cause trouble following their loss of power, and pledged to implement programmes and policies that would benefit the people of Perak. (Source: Abdullah: Ruler approves Zambry as MB, New Straits Times, 6 Feb 2009)
“There is nothing unconstitutional and we were always abiding by the decision of the Sultan…The Sultan has acted in accordance with [the] constitution…Whatever it is, everyone must respect His Majesty’s decision. As the former Lord President (of the Supreme Court) he would really understand the role of the constitutional monarch.”
Prime-Minister-in-waiting Datuk Seri Najib Razak, on the BN’s takeover of the Perak government in February 2009. Najib also said that anyone challenging the sultan’s decision would be insulting the constitutional monarchy. (Source: Najib: We will succeed in Perak, The Star, 8 Feb 2009)
“According to the constitution, Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin is menteri besar until he resigns of his own accord, or is removed by a vote of no-confidence in a formal sitting of the assembly. The constitution makes no provision for his removal by any other means, including by petitions or instructions from any other authority.”
Twice failed Umno president-, and by default, prime minister-hopeful Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, on the BN’s takeover of Perak. Razaleigh went on to say: “Rightful authority is an entirely different thing from the brute power that can be bought, sold or seized by force.” (Source: “Shameful scene unfolding in Perak”, The Nut Graph, 5 Feb 2009) 
Paku says
If this is how the PM-in-waiting makes a decision, it will be very sad for the country. Respecting a decision is not the issue, what is correct is. No decision-maker, including the Lord President, former or present, nor any monarch, is above the law.
dominik says
What happens if the Agong sacks the prime minister and replaces him with someone from the opposition parties, stating the same reasons as the present PM/DPM has given.
Will there be an uproar!
Kumar a/l K.Krishnan says
People make mistakes which can still be corrected for the sake of the ‘rakyat’
navin says
The hidden ‘factor’ in all of these events may very well be the most damaging. The toppling of the Perak government was motivated by money more than anything else. The prospect of gaining riches and power at the hands of a bewildered (and let’s face it, apathetic) electorate held forth in the minds of the ‘victors’ in Perak’s constitutional crisis.
Until we weed out money, the equation will remain flawed forever.
Eric says
Bukit Gantang, this is your chance to uphold the truth!