KOTA KINABALU – Bersatu Youth has desperately appealed to all political parties for a political ceasefire for now if they sincerely want the best for the people.
Its vice-chief Ceasar Mandela Malakun said if it is true that the other political leaders are putting people’s agenda is their top priority, then the government’s bipartisan offer must be accepted in good faith as proof.
“All parties must set aside their political differences and support the government’s bipartisan offer for now for the greater interest of the people and country, suggesting that (considering the pandemic situation and the economic crisis) opposition parties should play their role as an effective opposition to the government.
“Don’t just say no to everything; the opposition needs to be functioning by thinking deeply about what can be the best solution in this impasse,” he said in a statement today.
He stressed that the opposition has to be prudent and has the moral duty to help overcome these challenges.
“It doesn’t help if all it is interested in is to take over the office of prime minister,” he said.
Malakun said the existing check-and-balance system between the government and the opposition is the best way forward given the nation is still battling the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that it could help stop the current political turmoil, with besieged Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to resign tomorrow.
He parroted Muhyiddin’s plea for the opposition to back him during the September 7 vote of confidence to assist the country in solving the pandemic and economic crisis.
“Changing the government should not be the main agenda for now. Instead, the focus must be on restoring the health of the nation and its economy – the only way to achieve this is to have all the parties on one team,” he said, urging the opposition parties to be responsible to the rakyat.
Malakun noted that the call for a political ceasefire is not a desperate move by the government to stay in power.
“After all, the general election must be held latest in July next year. By then, politicians can pursue their political agendas all they want. But right now, the focus is on the people’s agenda,” he added.
On Friday, Malaysia’s most unpopular prime minister had desperately begged for support and implied he had lost Parliamentary majority.
He had made seven offers to MPs and especially to the opposition, from whom he received rejection and criticism.
Both the opposition and his so-called Umno allies had turned their backs against him and called him out for attempting daylight bribery on live broadcast.
The Pagoh MP is expected to tender his resignation to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow. – The Vibes, August 15, 2021
