2 reps involved in Melaka govt collapse urge for U-turn on assembly dissolving

KUALA LUMPUR – PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin and two of the four Melaka assemblymen whose actions led to the collapse of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government in Melaka, are urging Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam to find a way to rescind his decision to dissolve the state assembly.

Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee and Telok Mas assemblyman Datuk Nor Effandi Ahmad both shared Shamsul’s view that the focus should now be on resolving the current crisis.

“After studying the Melaka constitution, there is no clause that does not allow the retraction of the dissolution,” Shamsul said.

“This is because, with the current situation, it is not very conducive to hold an election, and Pakatan Harapan (PH) is firm on its stance against holding an election similar to the Sabah polls, when (Covid-19) cases spiked after it was held.”

Shamsul added that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s “half-baked” suggestion to declare an emergency in Melaka would only add to the woes of the Melaka people.

He said that currently, there is no state government but only a caretaker government and that, furthermore, the state budget has not even been prepared or approved.

As such, the Hang Tuah Jaya MP believes an emergency will only make things difficult for the state and, therefore, in principle, PH “consistently disagrees with an emergency”.

Shamsul said Norhizam and Effendy have sent a letter to Istana Negara about 5.30pm today to explain the situation that led to the dissolution of the state government earlier this week.

He said he hopes the cabinet meeting tomorrow will look into PH’s stance on the matter so that the dissolution can be revised.

He cited the change in the Perak government recently that did not involve an election, while the change of prime minister and the federal government last month was also done without any polls.

“This was done to protect the interest of the people and put focus on rebuilding the country towards a post-pandemic goal.”

On Monday, four state assemblyman, comprising Norhizam, Nor Effandi, Umno’s Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, formally withdrew their support for the state leadership, citing loss of confidence in chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali’s handling of the government.

This was followed by an announcement the next day that the governor had dissolved the state assembly that same night, a decision that was gazetted the next day.

Meanwhile, on whether it is legally possible to retract the dissolution after it was announced and gazetted, Shamsul says the matter can be studied as there are no provisions against doing so.

He added it may not necessarily require intervention from Istana Negara.

“This is an unprecedented matter. We are looking for a solution and this depends on the state constitution, which is silent on this matter.

“From there, we can see that possible spaces exist for the governor to evaluate and study the decision and (perhaps) retract the declaration,” he said, adding that PH is open to hearing legal views on the existing law.

On whether the four independent reps will now join PH, Shamsul said it is still too early to tell whether they will be absorbed into the opposition.

“It’s too early to tell because now we are facing a crisis in the constitution and leadership (in Melaka) so we want to resolve this first.”

Shamsul added the four former reps who announced their loss of confidence in the chief minister should not be treated as “enemies of the state” or bullied for their decision, following reports of alleged mistreatment. – The Vibes, October 7, 2021