KOTA KINABALU – Sabah opposition party United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) today offered a conciliatory gesture to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – in return for an end to the emergency order.
President Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said the lifting of the movement control order in most states starting tomorrow shows there is no justification left for emergency rule to be in force.
If this gives rise to a coup against Muhyiddin, he said, a ceasefire can be reached to allow him to remain as prime minister until his term ends in June 2023.
Muhyiddin lost his parliamentary majority on January 12, a day before the emergency was proclaimed, said Madius.
“The ball is in the prime minister’s court now. We’ve maintained that the emergency proclamation was to allow him to cling to power following concerns of a no-confidence vote,” he told an online press conference.
“Upko understands your predicament, but would like to assure that you have a democratic and sustainable solution, namely, a political ceasefire between the government and opposition on a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) that would allow the government to function without the paranoia of being overthrown, and the opposition to provide legislative oversight and policy input through an inclusive and mature policymaking process.”
He said Upko has sent an open letter to the prime minister, urging for an end to the emergency.
The ceasefire will allow Muhyiddin to focus on handling the Covid-19 pandemic and bettering the economy for the rest of his term, said the Sabah leader.
“The CSA should also entail the recognition of a shadow cabinet with resources and access to policy information, separate the office of public prosecution from the control of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and an assurance of a free, fair, clean and inclusive 15th general election, in which all eligible Malaysians aged 18 and above are automatically registered as voters.”
He said the polls are not a priority for Upko at the moment, as the country is not prepared for a fresh vote given the persistent health crisis.
“Let’s manage it properly. The prime minister must allow reps in state assemblies and Parliament to contribute to democracy. The prime minister must be responsible.”
Madius said he is not certain whether other political parties will be open to Upko’s proposal, but believes the majority of Malaysians want political stability.
“Other parties are entitled to their own decisions, but we are making this call because we want political stability to deal with the pandemic. It is up to the prime minister to reason with us.”
He said Upko’s letter will be shared with PKR, Amanah, Parti Warisan Sabah and DAP, in the hope that they will support its suggestions. – The Vibes, February 18, 2021
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