KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmakers should not engage in acts to topple a democratically elected government, said Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH).
In his debate on the motion of confidence on Anwar, Lim also said PN must accept that the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) is formed with a “convincing majority” as advised by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“I hope the opposition will face reality and not be ‘mat jenin’ (daydreaming) in engaging in activities to topple the government. You must accept the fact and be ready to act as an opposition.”
Lim cited the results of the 15th general election where Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional garnered 37.5% and 23.5% of the overall vote respectively.
“Collectively we have 60% of the popular votes, and that is a convincing majority.”
Lim added that the motion of confidence today is not a gimmick as alleged by opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut-PN), saying the vote is necessary to prove that Anwar “has the numbers” to form the government.
This, however, did not sit well with the opposition bench, who repeatedly disrupted Lim’s speech.
Among them was Datuk Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (Pasir Puteh-PN) who repeatedly shouted that the PH government had been rejected by the people after 22 months in power.
But Lim ignored the shouting, instead saying that PN should not engage in “dirty” tactics to topple the government.
The Bagan MP is among 12 lawmakers that will debate the motion of confidence on Anwar that is due today.
Earlier, a shouting match erupted after Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) questioned the need to conduct a motion of confidence for Anwar.
The former Umno lawmaker, who is now with PN, said this is unnecessary considering Anwar’s appointment has been “legitimised” by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He said this immediately after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof tabled the motion of confidence, noting that the unity government is one suggested by the king.
Shahidan, however, raised a point of order under Standing Order 36(7) of the Dewan Rakyat, which notes that the name of the Agong or any of the rulers shall not be used to influence the House. – The Vibes, December 19, 2022
