Newly minted Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin must prove that he has the numbers in Parliament, said Anthony Loke.
The DAP national organising secretary said the new government must call a sitting within six months to avoid Parliament’s dissolution.
The people must be prepared for any eventuality, including fresh elections, if Parliament fails to convene within the time frame, he said.
“The new government cannot run away from Parliament. They can delay it (sitting), but only for a certain (amount of) time. Don’t forget, Parliament can be dissolved if there is no sitting in six months. I must prepare us for all eventualities, including a fresh general election.
“That cannot be ruled out because if they dare not go to Parliament, then Parliament will be dissolved,” the former transport minister told reporters after an appreciation event held by the ministry for him in Putrajaya today.
Loke was commenting on talk that the sitting scheduled to begin on March 9 has been postponed following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government last week.
Yesterday, Muhyiddin took his oath of office as prime minister before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara.
The king appointed the Bersatu president to the post in accordance with Articles 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the federal constitution.
Loke, who is also Seremban MP, said he respects Sultan Abdullah’s decision, as the constitution grants the Agong absolute power to appoint the prime minister.
However, he said, Muhyiddin still needs to show that he has enough support from among MPs.
“Whatever resolution that we want for this problem is within the framework of the constitution.
“If they have the majority, there is nothing to fear. They can immediately call the next Parliament (sitting) after the cabinet is formed.
“But if he is defeated in Parliament, then he has to advise the Agong to dissolve Parliament and he needs to step down.”
Asked to confirm the number of MPs backing PH, Loke stuck with the previously mentioned 114.
He added that the people will get to know the true figure when Parliament convenes.
“We don’t have to reveal that number. The number we’ve stated stands. Whatever the final number is, go to Parliament and you’ll know.” – TMI