GEORGE TOWN – A 90-year-old Umno veteran has called on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Conference of Rulers to intervene and defuse the current political crisis threatening to ruin the country if no decisive action is taken.
Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff urged the rulers to persuade the political leadership to suspend Parliament and, instead, form a National Consultative Council, which will be headed by politicians, and retired leaders and civil servants.
“The council’s main role is to contain Covid-19 and revive the economy before calling for a general election,” he told The Vibes in an interview.
“When Parliament is suspended, MPs’ wages can be halved. This will lead to savings, which can be channelled towards helping those badly affected by the pandemic.
“The government machinery will become more efficient and leaner because there are fewer cooks to spoil the soup.”
Yussof said the suspension of Parliament could be between nine to 12 months, which is a much-needed period to stabilise the country before calling for an election, in which all warring factions can contest, and the people can decide who they want to lead Malaysia.
The Penang Malay Association president said Umno’s move to withdraw support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is appropriate as the Perikatan Nasional government is unpopular and has failed to serve the country and protect the economy during a healthcare crisis.
“We now have a full movement control order, but the Covid-19 death rate has doubled since the lockdown was imposed.
“Something is seriously wrong. So, it is timely for Umno, who has always been the custodian of the Malay psyche, to act.
“No matter how split the party may be, the interests of the grassroots come first.
“The decision to reject Muhyiddin was done via a process involving 3.5 million members.
“It began from the branches to the divisions, and the Umno general assembly, where the party sanctioned the withdrawal. It is democratic and sensible.”
Yussof said he hopes that Muhyiddin will emulate his predecessors, who had stepped down when the time called for it.
On who should sit in the consultative council, he said the nation is spoilt for choice as it has many credible leaders.
“It is just that they (the leaders) have never been given consideration as some quarters feel that (certain) posts are their sole rights.”
Tun Musa Hitam, Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and Lim Kit Siang are among those who can contribute towards stabilising the country against Covid-19 and the current political crisis, which has led to the present “mess”, he added. – The Vibes, July 8, 2021
