Vote of confidence: No instructions to support PM

There are no specific instructions given by Barisan Nasional’s (BN) top leadership to its MPs to support the Prime Minister in the vote of confidence motion in the Parliament session which will convene on Dec 19.

(Sinar Daily) – Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said however, all BN MPs must follow the party’s decision.

He was confident that all BN MPs would give their support to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister and establish the unity government.

The Umno Supreme Council member said besides constraints of the anti-party hopping law, BN MPs were bound by their respective party constitutions which prohibited them from acting as individuals except with the decision of the leadership.

“So, action will be taken against anyone who acts beyond the party’s decision,” he told Sinar Harian on Monday.

Asked about the possibility of an instruction making it compulsory for BN MPs to support Anwar’s vote of confidence, Jalaluddin said there was no need to do so and instead, issues related to the people’s problem should be given priority to.

“Why would there be a need for an order? I am sure all MPs representing their respective parties will support the PM.

“This is not the time for us to cause problems in Parliament, but it is time for us to discuss the issues related to the people’s problems and look into the things that must be improved.

“I don’t think we need to interfere with the government we agreed to establish,” he said.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) on the other hand would discuss their strategy before the session convenes.

PN would hold a preliminary meeting to discuss matters that would be brought up in the Parliament session which will be held for two days from Dec 19.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said the meeting will be held a day before the session to decide on strategy.

“The meeting will discuss how we want to enter the Parliament, what message we want to bring and the decisions we need to vote on later,” he said in a special interview with Sinar Harian on Monday.

The Tasek Gelugor MP said he would not support the motion of confidence for Anwar as the Prime Minister.

“I personally would definitely reject it unless there is an order from the party. However, I can’t imagine that we will support Anwar.

“I have no faith towards Anwar and it is my right as an MP.

“I want to see how (Umno president) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and (deputy president) Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan would state their support to Anwar.

“I really want to see it because I want to know how Umno members would react to the decision,” he said.