KUALA LUMPUR – A senator has expressed hope that backroom dealings by politicians in an attempt to overthrow a sitting government will be a thing of the past, as a sign of respect to the mandate given to the current administration to run the country.
Speaking at the Dewan Negara, Datuk A. Kesavadas said while the recent memorandum inked by the unity government signals a shift towards a new political landscape, the journey ahead remains filled with “landmines” and “clouded” by uncertainties.
“In pursuant to the formation of the government that has been consented to by the Agong, the rakyat harbours hope that there will be no repeat of coup d’état episodes.
“Five-star hotels in the city centre must no longer be used as a chess table by political players to plot dirty games that could destabilise the government that has been given the mandate by the rakyat and the king.”
The Negri Sembilan-appointed senator said this when debating on the Consolidated Fund (Expenditure on Account) Bill 2022 here today.
While he did not elaborate, Kesavadas is ostensibly referring to the infamous Sheraton Move in February 2020 that led to the collapse of the then Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
The term was derived from the venue of a meeting among political leaders who planned to form a new government, such as the five-star Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya.
Among those who were present include leaders from the then opposition Umno and PAS, as well as from former PH-component Bersatu.
The prime mover of the Sheraton Move, former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and those from the party aligned to him, were also present at the hotel.
A few days after the meeting, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as the country’s eighth prime minister, with the new government comprising parties that took part in the Sheraton negotiation.
Meanwhile, acknowledging the existence of racial and religious sentiment being played up by certain quarters after the recently-concluded general election, Kesavadas urged the government to take immediate measures to ensure the matter does get out of hand.
“As a federal government consisting of political figures of various races and religions, racial issues ought to be addressed through an effective approach.
“As the ministry responsible for nation-building, the National Unity Ministry should work hand in hand with the Communications and Digital Ministry to promote a national unity agenda.”
Kesavadas also urged the government not to dismiss the fact that social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook are being abused by irresponsible quarters fanning religious rhetoric, particularly during the recent election campaign.
In this regard, he said law enforcement alone is insufficient to educate the public on the importance of harmony, and urged the government to diversify its initiatives to be more interactive, so as to encourage more love towards the country. – The Vibes, December 21, 2022
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