COMMENT Truth is the first casualty in the BN-controlled mass media in the final run-up to the 13th general election.

Among the falsehoods widely disseminated is firstly, the extent and scope of the discretion of the Agong in inviting a person to become the prime minister in order to form the next federal government; and secondly, the allegation that the BN is regarded as ‘one party’ while Pakatan Rakyat is considered ‘a coalition’ is relevant in computing the level of support in the Dewan Rakyat for the purpose of appointing a prime minister.

We have to turn to the federal constitution for the answers. Article 40(2) provides that ‘the ... Agong may act in his discretion in the performance of the following functions, that is to say, (a) the appointment of a prime minister’.