KUALA LUMPUR – A snap general election during the Covid-19 pandemic can be devastating to Malaysia, political analysts warn ahead of today’s audience granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also PKR president, is expected to meet with the King at 3pm to discuss claims of commanding parliamentary majority – which could topple Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
Veteran journalist and political analyst Datuk Seri Azman Ujang said a dissolution of Parliament is a bad idea for now.
“We have seen a lot of new cases and clusters of Covid-19 infections because of the Sabah election, which was the result of an attempt to change the state government mid-term.
“Another attempt to force a change of the federal government may trigger the dissolution of Parliament and a snap election. This will potentially be catastrophic on the Covid-19 front due mass movements of people across the country.
“This has to be avoided or prevented at all costs, if the situation so warranted.
“The majority of Malaysians, especially from the B40 group, are struggling to make ends meet. The last thing people want is to see the country going through political uncertainty and instability.”
Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia academic Professor Azizuddin Mohd Sani echoed Azman’s sentiments that a federal level snap election will be terrible for Malaysia while it tried to keep Covid-19 cases low.
He believes if Anwar has the numbers to oust Muhyiddin, which could force the prime minister to dissolve Parliament, the Agong himself may rebuff the request in light of the pandemic.
“It’s within the right of the Agong to deny Muhyiddin a submission to dissolve Parliament. He can say the mandate is still good until 2023.”
He added that it will take time before the Agong will make a decision as he probably has to consult with constitutional experts, the chief justice, legal experts and others.
Many academics and experts have suggested that the Agong can invoke Article 55 of the Federal Constitution to call for a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat to verify Anwar’s majority support.
This can be an option for Muhyiddin, instead of allowing the tussle to fester for another month until Budget 2021 is tabled. – The Vibes, October 13, 2020
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