KUALA LUMPUR – This is not the time for quarrelling, and the people, suffering through the Covid-19 pandemic, are sick of selfish politicians, said Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
He voiced support for the pledge made yesterday by all 42 Barisan Nasional MPs not to back any no-confidence motion should it be brought up in the next Dewan Rakyat sitting.
“The support for the National Recovery Plan (NRP) is a good thing. It allows the government to continue its focus on taking care of the people and building the national economy.
“We need unity and stability to allow government policies to be implemented in an orderly manner. We should not stray from our focus during this important period,” he said on Facebook tonight.
He said the Perikatan Nasional administration led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is working hard to provide all manner of aid to all segments of society.
In a statement earlier, Wan Saiful took Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to task over the Umno president’s 14-day ultimatum for the government to reconvene Parliament, saying the veteran politician seems determined to drive a wedge in Malays’ political unity.
“This is despite his many Umno colleagues objecting to the return of PKR and DAP to Putrajaya. It seems to me that Zahid is making it sound as if he does not understand the federal constitution and the rules of Parliament.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong acts on the advice of the government. There is no question of treason. This is about governing based on laws and the constitution.
So, when the notice period to convene a sitting is 28 days, which Standing Orders did he (Zahid) refer to when he issued his 14-day ‘threat’?
“In fact, the Malay rulers spoke about political stability. When Zahid deliberately threatens political stability, who is the traitor here?”
Wan Saiful said he acknowledges the differing opinions of Zahid and other Umno members.
“I have spoken with many friends in Umno these two days to better understand the situation. They told me that they will issue their response.
“Recently, we have seen not only ministers, deputy ministers and MPs from Umno, but also grassroots leaders and BN components speaking out. I hope this can bring down the political temperature in the country.
“The Umno grassroots want Malay unification while rejecting efforts to return DAP to power, not to mention efforts to make (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim prime minister.
“Our focus should be the people, not the agenda of any one individual.”
Yesterday, BN MPs, ministers and deputy ministers said the lawmakers have agreed that Parliament will reconvene under the present Standing Orders or any other amendments required.
“We sincerely hope this Parliament sitting will be able to focus on the issues faced by the people in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The BN MPs, including those from Umno, also agreed to continue supporting NRP, presented by the government as an effort to strengthen measures to control the spread of the coronavirus.
Zahid on Monday issued an ultimatum to PN, giving it two weeks to reconvene Parliament, failing which, his party will call a Supreme Council meeting to discuss its next step.
In a statement, he said the BN lynchpin fully supports the Agong and Conference of Rulers’ decrees on a parliamentary sitting.
The government’s failure to heed the decrees is considered a form of rebellion and disrespect to the institution of the Malay rulers, he said.
Meanwhile, the Pakatan Harapan presidential council has called on the government to reconvene Parliament before August 1.
In a statement, it said Muhyiddin’s plans to form a bipartisan committee to study hybrid Parliament sittings should not be used as an excuse to delay proceedings further.
“PH is ready to join the committee, under the condition that Parliament is reconvened soonest, before August 1.” – The Vibes, June 24, 2021
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