Bersih calls for special Parliament session for confidence vote

Bersih is calling for a special Parliament session so that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's majority control of the House can be put to the test.

"If a special session is not called, then this vote of confidence should be moved as soon as when the next sitting of Parliament convenes on March 9," it said in a statement today.

Muhyiddin was sworn in as prime minister yesterday as the head of a Perikatan Nasional coalition consisting of Bersatu, BN, and PAS.

Sarawak's GPS is also backing Muhyiddin as prime minister.

However, Bersatu appears to be split, with Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Pakatan Harapan claiming they too have the majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

Bersih said a vote of confidence is also important for the people to know who their MPs will side with.

"For the rakyat, a special Parliament sitting would also reveal clearly how their MPs voted and whether it was in keeping with their own expectations when they voted in GE14.

"Bersih calls upon the rakyat to contact their MPs to find out who they will cast a vote for in a vote of confidence in Parliament," it said.

Article 43(4) of the Federal Constitution states that when a prime minister loses majority support in the Dewan Rakyat, he must tender his resignation unless the Agong decides to dissolve Parliament.

Parliament is expected to convene next Monday.

However, Muhyiddin (above) can postpone this inevitable challenge to his premiership.

Article 55(2) of the Federal Constitution states the Agong may prorogue (postpone) Parliament. As prime minister, Muhyiddin can advise the King to do so.

Article 55(1) states the Dewan Rakyat sittings must be held within six months of the last sitting - in this case, Dec 5, 2019, meaning that the next session must be called by the first week of June.