A few days after Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the country’s 10th PM, Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was named one of the Deputy Prime Ministers, to the shock of many Malaysians.
Yesterday (December 30), former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir spoke about the appointment of Zahid Hamidi as one of the Deputy PMs, despite his ongoing court cases. Tun M reflected on Zahid’s appointment when he came across something while browsing through the Federal Constitutions that many Malaysians may not be aware of – the incongruity of the provision under Article 33A.
“Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall cease to exercise the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong if charged with an offence”.
Of course, our King has not been charged with any offense, but the discovery made Tun M reflect on the seriousness of being charged with an offense where it could cease an important figure to exercise his / her power, even for someone as powerful as Agong.
The person does not even need to be found guilty for him to stop exercising his power when he is charged with an offense.
“Being charged is clearly serious enough for the constitution to prescribe the cessation of his function.”
The former Prime Minister then related the discovery to the recent appointment of Zahid Hamidi as one of the Deputy PMs, whom he dubbed “a lesser functionary.”
“He has been charged with over 40 charges. Yet he is appointed a Deputy Prime Minister and continues to hold that post.”
Back in September, Zahid Hamidi was acquitted by High Court with up to 40 charges of accepting bribes. Former Minister of Tourism, Dato Seri Nazri Aziz also assured the people that Zahid Hamidi will NOT be the country’s PM due to his ongoing court cases.
With his appointment as the Deputy PM, should we expect to see a major turn of events in the future?
Tun M then questioned if the Deputy PM reflects a more senior functionary, so much so that he should be better treated than the King, and said that there is a need for reform. However, Tun M unexpectedly ended his post by saying something that many people have told him online.
“Okay. I will look after my grandchildren now. Just ignore this.”
Despite his message at the end, the appointment of Zahid Hamidi as Deputy PM obviously did not sit well with Tun M. Do you agree with his take on the appointment of the Deputy PM?
Also read: Zahid Hamidi: We Should Stop ALL Provocation to Promote Peace & End Political Instability
