By Nur Afrina
We were alarmed with the shocking news of Tun Mahathir Mohamad, our former Prime Minister, submitting a resignation letter to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) exactly at 1pm. During Tun Mahathir’s tenure, he stated clearly and persistently that he would step down as Prime Minister, after a two-year term, and that he would give the titleto his successor, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Be that as it may, his sudden resignation brought to question Anwar Ibrahim as being excluded from the new coalition. We have yet to receive word on Malaysia’s next prime minister.
But, for the time being, Tun Mahathir continues to reign as the Interim Minister, until a decision is made on the country’s leader.
In accordance with Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, it is stipulated that the YDPA must appoint a new leader, with the confidence of the majority of the members in parliament.
25th February 2020: Earlier today, 221 members of the parliament were commanded by the YDPA to confront him for a “personal interview”, to decide on the most suitable successor.
The current speculations, however, are circulated around Malaysia as having its first female prime minister. Wan Azizah, the Deputy Prime Minister to Mahathir might be appointed as the next Prime Minister of Malaysia. Under Article 43 of the Federal Constitution, it was not specified as a condition that a female cannot be a prime minister.
In addition, to strengthen the stance, back in 2014, Tun Mahathir once said “there is nothing to stop woman from becoming the Prime Minister of Malaysia if she receives the essential majority support in a democratic country” in his speech during a question-answer session at the Women Extraordinaire Forum 2014. Moreover, according to Malaysiakini, it was reported that Wan Azizah Ismail has scheduled a meeting, along with his husband, Anwar Ibrahim with the YDPA at 2pm on the same day of Tun Mahathir’s submission of resignation letter. The resignation letter was then accepted by the YDPA at 7pm. Is there a looming possibility that this would happen? Will our Deputy Prime Minister be able to rule and be the head of the government? Will Malaysia have its first female leader in history?
10th May 2018, 2 years ago, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail made a historic leap for women where she was appointed and took office as the first Female Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. If she were to be elected as the next Female Prime Minister, it is the first time in Malaysia’s history where Malaysians live under the rule of matriarchy instead of patriarchy. Matriarchy means a system of society or government ruled by a woman. Would she be able to take up a huge responsibility as the first female Prime Minister or would she end up becoming a puppet of the government?
#thiswriting not represent IRiSS stand on current issues
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