MP SPEAKS | The problem is the lack of legitimacy

MP SPEAKS | There is a proposal for ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to be Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister candidate to wrestle back the government following the infamous "Sheraton Move".

There are also calls for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to be allowed to hold on to his usurper’s crown. This is to allow him to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis.

In lobbying for numbers, political parties have forgotten the people. The people, however, will not forget. They will also not forgive. Thus, a modification of Bill Clinton’s reminder to his campaign workers is appropriate: "It’s the lack of legitimacy, stupid."

The most important factor is not who leads the government but who the governed wants to follow. Who has the consent of the governed?

Consent of the governed means the legitimate and moral right to use state power, which is only justified and lawful when consented by the people. Those who lack legitimacy do not have the right to rule.

Muhyiddin being appointed prime minister by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has de facto authority. De facto authority means the capacity to maintain public order and compel the obedience of the people by issuing commands backed by sanctions.

The individual who fails to obey will be punished by a fine, go to jail, or worse, suffer physical harm by being caned or even death by hanging. De facto authority is the power of securing obedience over individuals seeking to avoid punishment.

Legitimate political authority is the right to rule conferred by each citizen to the authority. The individual citizen voluntarily accepts...