KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should be a "gentleman" and accept the decision made by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on the appointment of the prime minister.
Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Muhyiddin should follow the example set by Pakatan Harapan (PH), which had no qualms about accepting the change in administration following the Sheraton Move.
"I still remember when the Sheraton Move occurred and Muhyiddin took over as prime minister.
"I recall a conversation with the former opposition leader, now our 10th Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), who told me that PH accepted the decision made by the King.
"That (acceptance by Anwar on behalf of PH) was a gentlemanly move so just fight (to form the government) in the next election.
"This is democracy and there is no issue over that," she said during a press conference on the second day of the 2024 Umno General Assembly.
Azalina said this in response to questions about her post on X, where she explained that the absolute discretion to appoint the prime minister is vested in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under the Federal Constitution.
At the same time, Azalina also questioned Muhyiddin's intention to reveal the number of statutory declarations (SDs) he had allegedly obtained to support his efforts in forming a government.
Azalina, also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), said the number of SDs obtained by a party leader is not a benchmark for forming a government.
"Of course, he says he can prove it (the SDs), but we are not dealing with a sports tournament here.
"In practice, when anyone is called by the King under the Constitution, the King must be satisfied and this is what discussion and discretion mean.
"Moreover, the King had decreed that agreements must be made by the party, not by individuals.
"Therefore, if he says the parties agree, it must be subjected to an agreement referred to as a coalition agreement or a post-election coalition agreement."
Azalina also recounted her experience during Malaysia's political turmoil caused by the Sheraton Move in 2020.
She said Al-Sultan Abdullah conducted a meticulous and thorough process to ensure he did not exceed his powers in choosing the right individual for the role of prime minister.
"At that time, I was also asked if I truly supported the change in government and whether there were any threats, warnings or instructions given.
"The process was conducted with great thoroughness and I had never seen such meticulousness. He was very careful to ensure he did not exceed the powers granted to him.
"Hence, when reading the statement by the Pahang Crown Prince, I feel sad as I remember the administration changed many times during the King's reign and each of us had an audience with him."