KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad continues to question the appointment of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is facing court charges, as deputy prime minister.
In his latest Twitter post, he cited Article 33A of the Federal Constitution, which allowed the Yang-Dipertuan Agong to cease the role if charged with an offense and compared it with Zahid who is facing more than 40 court charges.
"It reads as follows: "Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall cease to exercise the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong if charged with an offense.
"It is obvious that being charged with an offense is so serious that a person such as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong would cease to exercise the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
"It does not say that he would have to be found guilty before His Majesty ceases to exercise his function. Being charged is clearly serious enough for the constitution to prescribe the cessation of his function," he wrote.
In 1993, the government under Dr Mahathir, who was then the fourth prime minister, passed an amendment in the Federal Constitution removing legal immunity of the royalty.
Citing the provision, Dr Mahathir said there must be reform done when "a lesser functionary" such as the DPM who is charged with over 40 charges continued to hold the post.
"Is the DPM a more senior functionary that he should be better treated than the Yang di-Pertuan Agong?
"There is a need for Reform here, me thinks," he said.
The 96-year-old also took the opportunity to take a jab at his critics and told them to ignore his thread of tweets.
"Okay. I will look after my grandchildren now. Just ignore this," he added.
The former Langkawi member of Parliament previously insisted that Zahid should not be given any position in the government and that the judiciary must carry out their responsibility fairly and fearlessly in the Bagan Datuk MP's court case.
During the formation of the unity government under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister, Umno's president Zahid was appointed as the deputy prime minister.
Zahid, 69, is facing 47 charges, including 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving RM31 million of Yayasan Akal Budi funds.