Kuala Lampur, July 20 -- Individuals holding positions in the government have been rightly reminded by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to observe discipline and refrain from attacking the Federal Government while campaigning in the state elections.

"We remind all candidates, especially those serving as ministers, deputy ministers or heads of agencies, that they are free to campaign on state issues. However, if they choose to do that (attack the Federal Government), they should step down from their positions," Anwar said on Sunday (July 19).

This is especially when political attacks offend the constitutional principle of collective responsibility.

In the United Kingdom (UK), collective responsibility is a fundamental convention ...