KUALA LUMPUR – In a rare appearance together, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said that there is a possibility that the government will fall tomorrow.
“There is a possibility tomorrow that the government will lose during the third reading of Budget 2021 and those in the Parliament will have to think of how the next government will be formed.
“We are not asking for support ourselves but there are interested parties coming forward and asking us to change the situation,” Dr Mahathir told reporters at a press conference in Yayasan Albukhary here today.
The veteran statesmen have called on all MPs to vote on the third reading of Budget 2021 tomorrow based on their conscience for the sake of the country.
“We need a government that is not motivated by what it gets but what it can contribute to the country,” said Dr Mahathir, adding that the present government has failed to focus on developing the country, instead pursuing politics during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Citing the recent Perak menteri besar crisis as an example, he said that politicians were more interested in positions and perks rather than trying to develop the country.
“These MPs have spent more time aiming to be ministers, deputy ministers, heads of government-linked companies and agencies. They have spent no time on nation-building.
“The current Perikatan Nasional government continues to engage in a lot of politicking, with their parties spending most of their time trying to become the ‘dominant’ force instead of governing the country.”
When asked about the likelihood of the government falling looms when it has so far successfully stayed in power, Dr Mahathir said the possibility should not be dismissed.
If the present government is defeated tomorrow, he said the new government will, hopefully, be dedicated to serving the people.
“This is not because I want to become prime minister or (so that) I can get good pay. I hope the MPs choose wisely.”
Dr Mahathir said he and Tengku Razaleigh are also prepared to contribute to the country in any way necessary.
“We are of the opinion that we need to revive policies to develop the country.
“If there is no salary for us, it is fine. The government has been paying us a lot of pension anyways.”
Meanwhile, Tengku Razaleigh, popularly known as Ku Li, reiterated his earlier stance that he will not vote for Budget 2021.
He also dismissed speculation of joining Dr Mahathir’s outfit Pejuang, saying it is his right as an Umno MP to vote according to his conscience.
“I have the right to vote or choose what I think is best for the country. There should be no issues from the party on that matter.”
He added that Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier said that Umno would not stop its MPs from supporting opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He also expressed his belief that the current government remains unstable with a mere majority of two MPs.
“When the government is unstable, the economic position will not be stable, foreign exchange will begin plummeting and there will be no growth, no jobs, no progress for youth.”
Tengku Razaleigh also did not dismiss the possibility that he may be able to convince other Umno MPs to vote against the Budget tomorrow.
More than a month ago, photos surfaced of the two veterans meeting. It was said to be about political cooperation and forming a unity government.
However, it is yet to be ascertained if Pejuang founder Dr Mahathir and Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh’s joint public appearance is endorsed by their respective parties.
The two had already filed for no-confidence motions, alongside those by Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau), Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (Pasir Puteh) and Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam).
In a reply dated September 29, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun had denied that the prime minister had refused to allow for the motions to be tabled, saying that, according to the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders, priority should be given to government matters. – The Vibes, December 14, 2020
