KOTA KINABALU – In United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation’s (Upko) nine-point proposal to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today, the party has rejected the suggestion of a National Operations Council (Mageran) while calling for an end to the emergency period.
Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said, in a press conference after his audience today, that the state of emergency has not added value since its proclamation in January.
“The state of emergency proved to be a complete failure when daily Covid-19 cases soared to 9,020 from 2,322 cases in January.”
Madius, who is also Tuaran MP, rejected the Mageran proposal mooted by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the council does not involve the people and Parliament.
“Mageran would not be able to create political stability in the country as the council does not involve the people and Parliament; it only depends on the wisdom of the council members.
“The members are like angels and cannot make mistakes. If they make mistakes, the people will retaliate,” said Madius, adding that retaliation of the people could even reach the palace.
Madius had an online conference with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at 2.30pm today.
To achieve political stability in the country, Madius proposed a confidence and supply agreement between the ruling government and the opposition bloc.
“No elected representative will think about switching parties with the agreement. There will be no need for them to do so.
“They will not have to cross over because they will be given adequate allocation for their constituencies.”
For example, he said, the Perak government has given equal allocation to all its elected representatives, regardless of political affiliations.
“In Sabah, for instance, the RM10,000 allocation is not given to opposition MPs. Since there is no allocation, many opposition MPs are thinking about switching camps.”
In addition, Madius proposed to the Agong to allow Parliament and all state assemblies to reconvene as the emergency rule has resulted in a disconnect between the government and the people.
“Suspended legislature bodies have resulted in limited policy- and decision-making, not only excluding members of the opposition, but also the people they represent.
“Parliament should be allowed to form as many parliamentary select committees as possible to provide check and balance.
“I also wish to see the vaccination process be hastened, assistance prioritised, quicker distribution of laptops, and quicker improvements to Sabah’s internet coverage.
“Internet coverage remains an issue in rural Sabah.” – The Vibes, June 14, 2021
