KUALA LUMPUR – The opposition has yet to present names for a special independent committee that will advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the implementation of the emergency, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.
In an interview on RTM’s Bicara Naratif: Deklarasi Darurat programme last night, the law minister said the matter has been communicated to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I have written to the opposition leader to name a few MPs to sit on the committee, but I have yet to receive those names. The government has a few names already.”
When the emergency was proclaimed last week, the king and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed that there will be such a committee.
Takiyuddin said the panel will include members of both the opposition and government.
He refuted criticism that the current emergency is a political ploy by Perikatan Nasional to stay in power.
He said Muhyiddin will not wait long to call an election after the Covid-19 pandemic is contained.
“The prime minister intends to secure a new mandate through a snap election. However, the Covid-19 situation remains an obstacle.
“Even the Agong would not allow it, especially if we look at the emergency proclaimed by His Majesty for Batu Sapi, Gerik and Bugaya.”
The Gerik federal seat fell vacant following the death of four-term MP Datuk Hasbullah Osman on November 16 last year, while Bugaya assemblyman Datin Manis Muka Mohd Darah died the day after.
Former law minister and Batu Sapi MP Datuk Liew Vui Keong died on October 2.
Takiyuddin said he is confident that the PN administration will not wait long to hold polls after the pandemic is dealt with and emergency rule lifted.
“Be patient, we are handling Covid-19 to the best of our ability. This is a life-or-death situation. Elections, on the other hand, are just a matter of winning or losing.”
He said a prime minister could lose power only through a vote of no confidence or via statutory declarations from MPs stating their withdrawal of support.
“So far, nothing has been presented against the prime minister.”
He added that the Agong has the authority to reject calls for an election.
The king has consulted many experts, including the attorney-general, leader of the armed forces, inspector-general of police, health director-general and Election Commission chairman, said Takiyuddin. – The Vibes, January 17, 2021
