DPM Ahmad Zahid says any action against ministers breaching campaign discipline in the Negeri Sembilan polls rests solely on PM Anwar Ibrahim’s prerogative.
CYBERJAYA: Any action against ministers or deputy ministers who breach campaign discipline during the Negeri Sembilan election is entirely up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
He said the appointment of Cabinet members was the Prime Minister’s sole prerogative under the Federal Constitution.
“Under the Constitution, the power of appointment is the absolute prerogative of the Prime Minister.
“If the Prime Minister verifies the matter or receives accurate information, that is the Prime Minister’s absolute prerogative.
“There is no need for anyone else to answer for it,” Zahid said.
He was commenting on Anwar’s reminder that ministers, deputy ministers and federal agency heads must maintain discipline while campaigning in the Negeri Sembilan election.
On July 19, Anwar had said federal officeholders were free to raise state issues but should relinquish their positions if they used them to attack partners in the Unity Government.
Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil later clarified that no resignation order had been issued and that Anwar’s remarks were a reminder to uphold discipline and professionalism.
The issue has drawn attention amid BN’s electoral cooperation with PN in Negeri Sembilan, even though BN remains part of the federal Unity Government.
A total of 103 candidates are contesting all 36 seats in the Negeri Sembilan state election. PH is fielding 36 candidates, followed by BN with 25, Bersatu with 24 and PN with 11.
Berjasa, the Malaysian Orang Asli Party and Parti Sosialis Malaysia are fielding one candidate each, while four others are contesting as independents.
Separately, Zahid dismissed a viral proposal for a broader political coalition involving BN, PN, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.
He said he was unaware of any such arrangement and reaffirmed BN’s commitment to the Unity Government until the 16th General Election.
“Umno and BN are clearly together with the Unity Government until GE16.
“That is our position and the resolution we brought to the Umno General Assembly.
“There is no body higher than the General Assembly, and we greatly respect that decision.
“So, we hope there is no need to worry,” he said.
Zahid was speaking after officiating the 104th Immigration Day celebration at the Cyber Event Hall here.
Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
