GEORGE TOWN – A PKR senator and aide to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lent support to Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s bid to have a motion of no-confidence on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said Muhyiddin should view such a vote as an opportunity to demonstrate backing for his Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, which is essential to facilitate the passing of Budget 2021 and also shore up public cooperation on policies to contain Covid-19.
He said speculations that the Budget bill may be defeated in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday have been triggered more by public mistrust for PN rather than any grand design of the opposition.
This is especially so as the coalition is perceived to have played politics at the height of the pandemic, said Yusmadi,who is a former Balik Pulau MP.
In a letter by Tengku Razaleigh to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun dated November 19, the Gua Musang MP said he disagrees with Azhar’s suggestion that he approaches the law minister to get the nod to table the said motion.
Razaleigh pointed out that the no-confidence motion is not a private motion, but a constitutional one.
Yusmadi said a “trust deficit” has emerged as Muhyiddin has resisted any attempt to demonstrate that he has support in Parliament.
“He should have just done it so the people can be convinced that there is genuine support," said Yusmadi.
A government saddled with a public trust deficit will not be able to fight the Covid-19 pandemic effectively, as the virus can only be defeated if the majority of the people comply with the government’s directives, he said.
“We need to be highly disciplined to fight the pandemic. It calls for uncompromising commitment for physical distancing, face masks and constant hygiene.
“But if the people do not respect the government and instead detest it, will they listen to government advice?" he said.
Muhyiddin took over the premiership in March, enabling PN to replace Pakatan Harapan as the government, when the country was about to face the first wave of the pandemic. – The Vibes, November 24, 2020.
