Only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah can provide leave or ‘rest’ to a Prime Minister from office for any reason.

According to an UMNO veteran who declined to be named, the Agong’s decision to provide leave to Datuk Seri Najib Razak is also done after gathering opinions and reports from the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Gani Patail.

“Apart from the power to dissolveParliment, the Agong also has the power to provide leave to Najib.

“This is the best decision before handing over Najib’s position to the country’s number two leader while investigations are ongoing,” said the veteran.

The individual was commenting on a statement made by political analyst, Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad AgusYusoff whosaid that the Agong does not have the power to sack Najib from his position except if he gets a vote of no confidence in Parliament.

He said the Agong only has the discretion to appoint a prime minister who in his view can garner a majority votefromthe members of Parliament.