KUALA LUMPUR — Constitutional expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari has said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi should resign from the cabinet after making public statements that breach the principle of collective cabinet responsibility.
Aziz said a cabinet minister cannot openly express views that contradict cabinet solidarity, stressing that ministers are bound by Article 43(3) of the Federal Constitution and long-established conventions under the Westminster system.
“Unlike his party colleagues from GPS who are not in the cabinet, he is bound by collective cabinet responsibility and must keep such sentiments to himself,” said Aziz, who is also a Perak exco and Tebing Tinggi assemblyman.
On Thursday, when speaking in a radio interview with BFM 89.9, Nanta had used the word “divorce” when voicing frustration over “bickering” on political issues, noting the harmonious way Sarawak dealt with race, religion and politics, while politicians in the peninsular were prone to “quarrelling”.
His remarks as reported by media in Borneo were: “I want Malaysia to go on as a Malaysia that is progressive and people live in harmony. Is that too much to ask for? But I’m worried. I’m worried if we continue to quarrel over everything then don’t blame us, don’t blame Sarawakians. If you don’t like us, divorce us.”
Aziz in a statement to Scoop said that if Nanta wished to make his views public, the proper course was to first step down from the cabinet, describing this as a constitutional requirement rather than a discretionary choice.
Aziz said the situation had now become difficult, adding that he did not think Nanta was willing to withdraw what he had said.
He pointed to several historical precedents where senior leaders resigned on principle after breaking with cabinet positions, including Tun Dr Ismail under Tunku Abdul Rahman, Ghafar Baba during Tun Hussein Onn’s tenure, and Rais Yatim under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“These precedents exist for a reason,” he said, adding that there were other MPs from Sarawak who could take over Nanta’s cabinet role.
Nanta is secretary-general of Gabungan Parti Sarawak and of his party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu.
Aziz also said the episode had embarrassed the prime minister, particularly after Sabah leaders distanced themselves from the statement.
“The Constitution must be followed. That is the benchmark of our political tradition,” he said. “One cannot have it both ways.” – January 31, 2026