Change of PM doesn't require GE, says Mahfuz

He said there have been numerous cases in Malaysia, even some recent ones, where leadership had been changed without going through an election.

In a statement today, the Pokok Sena PAS MP was commenting on the recent statement made by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) following the signing of a Citizens' Declaration by 58 principal signatories in an effort to oust Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the country's premier.

Last Friday, the PMO had stated that if the signatories, which comprised leaders from the former and current political landscape as well as several NGOs, wanted to reform the government, then they would have to wait for the general election to do so.

Mahfuz said the PMO's statement was absurd.

"To change a prime minister, we don't have to wait for the next GE. It can happen if the prime minister loses the majority support of MPs, or if he resigns, or if he dies.

"Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak didn't go through general elections to become prime minister.

"The changing of the Perak Menteri Besar (from Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir) in 2009 was not made through an election.

"The appointment of the current Kedah MB (Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah) recently was also not made via an election but a no-confidence vote against Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir through a statement before the Kedah Regency Council," he said.

Mahfuz added that the same procedure would go the same for Najib; he would have to step down as PM if he lost the support of Barisan Nasional MPs through a no-confidence motion, if he doesn't decide to resign first. READ: Citizens' Declaration: Action against UMNO members yet to be discussed