KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin has shown disrespect to the institution of the Malay Rulers by disputing all appointments process involving the unity government.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Muhyiddin and his allies should be embarrassed of themselves for being seen as power crazy, to the extent of disputing the decision of the Malay Rulers.
On the contrary, he said Muhyiddin should emulate the DAP, which is more concerned with the country's interests rather than parties or individuals, by moving forward to succeed in the unity government as proposed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
"Muhyiddin needs to respect these appointments. Disputing them is reflective of the true face of Muhyiddin and his allies who do not respect the royal institution.
"Muhyiddin and his allies need to learn to be a credible opposition, instead of whining and complaining... unable to accept the fact that he failed to become prime minister and form a government.
"Learn to respect the process and decisions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Council of Malay Rulers," he said in a Facebook posting today.
Zahid, who is the Barisan Nasional chairman, reminded Muhyiddin that the current government formed is not a Pakatan Harapan (PH) government but a unity government based on cooperation between the largest party and other smaller parties that had secured seats in the election.
"Muhyiddin seemed to have forgotten that the power to appoint the prime minister is based on the purview of the King as framed under Article 40(2)(a) and Article 43 (2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.
"That's how the cabinet is formed. The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) will present a list of all members of the unity government cabinet for His Majesty's approval. After getting the consent, he will announce it," he said.
Zahid said Anwar's appointment as the prime minister also consented following a special discussion with the Malay Rulers at the Istana Negara on Nov 24.
"Muhyiddin continues to complain after he was not made the prime minister... and in less than 24 hours after the cabinet was sworn in, he accuses the government and cabinet as being a fraud and against the mandate of the people," he said.
He added that the Bersatu president was being short-sighted in criticising Anwar for holding the finance portfolio when the latter had managed the country's economy successfully in the past.
"Anwar has also been recognised as the world's best Finance Minister by Euro Money Magazine and Asia's Best Finance Minister by Asia Money Magazine.
"Anwar also won The Asian of The Year and Malaysia was an Asian Tiger among Asian countries when Anwar was a Finance Minister.
"Foreign investors are certainly more confident to invest when Anwar holds the position of finance minister," he added.
He pointed out that such record has never been achieved by Muhyiddin who had faced a lot of problems in managing the country during his tenure.
The GE15 held on Nov 19 ended with no party getting a simple majority of 112 seats in the 222-seat Parliament to form a new government.
Pakatan Harapan got 82 seats, followed by Perikatan Nasional (73), BN (30), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (22), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (six), Warisan (three).
Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) and Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) secured one each, and two independents were elected to the lower house of Parliament.