Ambiga: Najib muzzling ministers on 1MDB SteveOh: The silencing of the cabinet ministers is an insult to them and a fatal curb on democracy.

Even if the matter was about some major policy or principle, it is utter arrogance for a leader to give an ultimatum to those in his team simply because they have a difference of opinion.

In this situation, what is at stake is the controversial 1MDB scandal that may have criminal implications. Cabinet ministers are supposed to know what is happening and do what is right, not be expected to be a rubber stamp for the PM’s secret agenda, and be unwitting or unwilling abettors of the problematic and unilateral decisions of the PM.

As we understand, much of the cabinet is in the dark on 1MDB and this lack of transparency is not proper governance. The cabinet has every right to object to anything that is potentially criminal and against the public interest.

A cabinet revolt may yet restore the dignity of the cabinet members who are seen as dispensable as long as the PM gets his way.

CQ Muar: Stifling or muzzling the ministers with such ultimatum and threats is absolutely unwarranted and considered a blatant insult to all cabinet ministers.

PM Najib Razak was obviously resorting to intimidation; somehow sensing some resistance amongst the ministers and cohorts.

These gutless leaders ought to feel ashamed for relenting and acquiesce to Najib’s unacceptable demands and conditions; unless, of course, they consider their future at stake for not toeing the line.

I couldn’t help but wonder, what honour and dignity do these ministers still have?

Adoi: It’s not just resigning from the cabinet if they, the cabinet ministers, disagree with Najib. It’s jail time, like former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysians do believe that many cabinet ministers have skeletons in the closet aplenty. Even if they were clean, fabricated charges could be brought against them. So who has the balls to disagree, like Anwar?

It looks like former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad will have to do the heavy lifting until the failsafe moment arrives. Only then will the opportunists cross over to Dr M’s side and betray Najib.

So it’s not so simple to just speak your mind in a cabinet meeting as if it is a debating society. Don’t be naive.

SusahKes: I think the PM just made the situation even worse for him. You see, it’s all about ‘perception’, and what is the perception given to the public when cabinet ministers were given an ultimatum?

Najib has just fallen into Mahathir’s hands.

Victor Johan: Former Bar Council chairperson S Ambiga, actually it has become usual for Najib to choose to communicate with the people on this issue of 1MDB and his many other acts through FAQs (frequently asked questions) on his blog.

All these because Najib cannot face the people openly as the nation’s PM and to answer questions on his various blunders. He can only give speeches but reveals nothing substantial at events organised and attended by hired crowd.

Master Ji: This is a brilliant coup by Najib, and his invitation to those of his cabinet colleagues to resign represents a dual test.

The first is a test of his leadership, which is firm and decisive, and the second is a test of his colleagues’ ethical principles.

His disloyal colleagues who do not understand the sacred principle of collective responsibility have been taught, for the first time in a dramatic way, that they are there at the pleasure of the prime minister.

If you do not support his leadership, you go and he can form a new cabinet. Now let us wait for the auditor-general’s report as well as the Public Account Committee’s (PAC) findings on 1MDB and stop the politicking.

Jesse: Are we to assume that there is no robust discussion in cabinet of matters relating to national interest? Are these just ‘yes men’ and ‘yes women’?

We might as well remove the whole lot of them and have this country be ruled as a dictatorship. That way we save lots of money spent on them and their perks.

Ministers, by remaining silent, you are consenting to whatever decision made in line with cabinet’s collective responsibility.

Mantra888: This clearly shows that DPM Muhyiddin Yassin is the greatest hypocrite – back-stabbing his boss but conveniently remained silent during cabinet meeting. I suppose most politicians share the same traits.

ACR: Democracy is a farce in this country so long as the BN representatives do not stop deifying the PM. The cabinet members rather have their posts than stand for what is righteous.

The BN MPs in Parliament would never throw out a useless BN PM in a no-confidence motion. Such a motion would not see the light of day with the House speakers we have.

Vent: Spot on, Ambiga. But where do we go from here?

Blobfishface: Where do we go from here? We’re already in Hell. Any other place will definitely be an improvement.

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