'We don't amend the constitution every single day' - Khaled Nordin on Muda's withdrawal
MOHD AZLIM ZAINURY
SHAH ALAM - The move by the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) to leave the Unity Government and choose to be a third-force opposition in the Dewan Rakyat is their right, said Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Umno vice president said that the decision does not affect the Unity government, even though it is now alleged to have lost the support of a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
"That's his right. It's not that we need two-thirds (majority support) only if he feels like amending the constitution, but we don't amend the constitution every single day," he said.
The Higher Education Minister was met at the Tvet Digital Polycc Week 2023 closing ceremony at Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in Shah Alam today.
Also present was Polytechnic and Community College Education director- general Mohd Zahari Ismail.
Yesterday, Muda officially withdrew its support from the Unity Government with immediate effect and chose to become the third-force opposition in the Dewan Rakyat.
One of the main reasons for the action is due to steps taken by the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which had recently been seen as contrary to the principle of the rule of law.
Although Muda only has one seat in Muar held by its president, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the party's decision resulted in the Unity Government losing its two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
It left the Madani Government with only 147 out of 222 seats in the Parliament, which falls short of one seat, making it easier for them to pass any vote to approve any amendment to the Federal Constitution in the future.
However, Khaled believes that if the constitution is to be amended, it must aim for something good for the country, and then it will certainly be supported by all parties to get the support of a two-thirds majority.
"Especially when the time comes, we will see how it is," he said.
When asked if the response also meant that the Unity Government had certain strategies, he denied it, instead explaining that not all matters require two-thirds support.
"Not so, because not everything needs two-thirds. Some laws and some matters only need a simple majority.
"There are matters that may involve reform and so on. For example, the separation of powers between the Attorney General and the Prosecutor, and if some parties from that side feel that it is necessary for the country, why not give support?" he said.
