PAS backs call for Malay-only PM for sake of ‘stability’

PAS is backing the proposal by Bersatu’s Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal to amend the Federal Constitution to ensure that only Malays can become the prime minister.

(FMT) – PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the amendment should be carried out to ensure the country’s “stability and harmony”.

“Anxiety has increased among the public following Lim Kit Siang’s statement that a non-Malay could become a prime minister according to the Federal Constitution,” Tuan Ibrahim told FMT, referring to the DAP stalwart.

He, however, did not elaborate on how public anxiety had increased following Lim’s statement.

In a Facebook post earlier today, Wan Fayhsal challenged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to use his two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat to amend the Federal Constitution to ensure that only Malays can become the prime minister.

Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution states that the only requirement for someone to be the prime minister is that they must be an MP who, in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s judgment, is likely to command majority support.

There is no mention of race, religion or gender.

Wan Fayhsal also said he would support such a move by Anwar.

The Machang MP said this would help “restore confidence” among the Malays perturbed by Lim’s remark that the Federal Constitution does not bar a non-Malay from being the prime minister.

In a speech to Malaysian students in the UK last month, the former Iskandar Puteri MP expressed hope that Malaysia would not have to wait as long as the US to have a leader from an ethnic minority.

He referred to former US president Barack Obama, who was elected to the White House 230 years after independence.

Yesterday, police recorded a statement from Lim.

Perikatan Nasional ally Gerakan could not be reached for comment.