KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s move to seek consent for a proclamation of emergency was a hasty decision and far too drastic for the Covid-19 situation, said the Muar MP.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said in a statement today that Muhyiddin should never have used the emergency proclamation to avoid going to the polls.
“Even though my opposition friends and I do not want a general election due to the uncertainty stemming from the health and economic crisis in the country, this should not be achieved by declaring an emergency.
“The government should focus on implementing plans to deal with the crisis, and a state of emergency is not the answer.”
Muhyiddin, who also leads Bersatu, has been under siege from his Perikatan Nasional ally Umno.
The most recent salvo was the public withdrawal of support by Umno’s Machang MP Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub.
This was followed by statements from Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz, who said that others from the party will follow suit.
Today, Syed Saddiq said that based on the public’s reaction, the processes leading to the emergency declaration was not well planned.
“The government should have called the opposition bloc to join an independent committee (Jawatankuasa Khas Bebas) to ensure that the administration and direction of the country is done properly and everything is stable.
“The government must behave fairly and justly towards the opposition because the emergency that was officially declared is meant to battle Covid-19.”
He called on the government to present an economic welfare plan for the people.
He also predicted that the 14-day movement control order in the Federal Territories and five states announced yesterday will be extended, based on the emergency declaration only ending in August.
He also urged for another blanket moratorium on loan repayments for the public, coupled with cash handouts, to be announced by end of this month. – The Vibes, January 12, 2021
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