KOTA KINABALU – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must consider sharing power or seek a ceasefire with the opposition bloc before Parliament convenes to avoid the collapse of his Perikatan Nasional administration, said Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
The Tuaran MP in a statement today suggested that the embattled prime minister find a way to share power with the opposition to maintain government stability until the 15th general election.
“If the prime minister fears the collapse of his government when Parliament convenes – which is highly probable by the Budget session at the latest – he must reach out to the opposition for a ceasefire.
“If he is willing to share power through Parliament, I believe enough opposition MPs can consider keeping him and his government until a pre-agreed-on date for GE15.”
Madius, who is also United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation president, said a weak government should seek, not demand, a ceasefire, adding that denying the political realities can be costly for Muhyiddin.
“Just like any other MP, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has every right to move a motion to bring down a dysfunctional government.
“Nothing wrong in him wanting to be prime minister if the incumbent refuses to seek peace and secure a majority.”
Towards this end, he proposed the setting up of more parliamentary special select committees (PSSCs) covering all ministry portfolios and involving every MP.
“Currently, we have only nine PSSCs that cover 17 of the 28 ministerial portfolios, denying 88 (40%) of the 220 existing MPs – 79 from the opposition bench and nine government backbenchers – any committee responsibility. And, Parliament meets only two months in a year.
“If the prime minister wants to stay on in his job, he must be prepared to share power with the opposition and government backbenchers in Parliament.
“The post-1969 oligarchic paradigm must be buried. Technocrats remain important, but their policy ideas must be scrutinised by PSSCs, too, and not just the ideas mooted by ministers and deputy ministers.” – The Vibes, July 5, 2021
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