[UPDATED] Umno wants end to emergency, Parliament’s resumption, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said that Umno does not want an extension of the state of emergency and is urging for Parliament to reconvene.

Speaking to the press after his audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Bagan Datuk MP said that the two issues were among the four points he had raised during the meeting.

“I raised Umno’s stance with Tuanku (His Majesty) and inform him that the emergency situation should not continue after August 1 because it has brought more adversity towards the country. It was clear before there was an emergency that the government managed the Covid-19 pandemic well.

“Umno also brought forward the voice of the public who are agitated and their concern in facing the pandemic that has affected their income and economy. Umno believes that Parliament should reconvene. 

“This can ensure that the country’s democratic system is defended, where elements of accountability and checks and balances in all aspects of the nation’s administration are in place. Parliament is an important platform as the official voice of the people regarding their interests,” said Zahid.

He added that the public has demanded a moratorium, management of the inflating prices of goods, i-Sinar 2.0, i-Lestari 2.0 and other forms of assistance. 

He said that it is not just the B40 and M40 groups that have been hit hard by the emergency, but the T20 as well.

Zahid said he had also raised the issue of the economic downturn, with much in foreign direct investments redirected to Malaysia’s neighbours in the region. 

“More important is that domestic direct investments must be encouraged through many incentives from the government.”

Touching on the call for the formation of the National Operations Council (Mageran) mooted by Langkawi MP Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Zahid said the matter was not discussed.

He said there could be a risk of Mageran being used by certain parties, not to manage the pandemic, but for other agendas.

Zahid had arrived at Istana Negara at 9.55am for his audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and left at about 11am.

The party leader was chauffered into the palace compound in a silver Toyota Vellfire for his 10am appointment.

MIC, PBS also meet Agong today

Meanwhile, MIC president Tan Sri S. Vigneswaran, who arrived at Istana Negara at 10.45am in a white Mercedes-Benz for his meeting at 11am, was seen leaving the palace about 11.40am.

PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili will see the king later this afternoon.

The king has been granting audiences to political party leaders over the week, beginning with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Wednesday morning about 8am.

This was followed by opposition leader and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu later that same day.

Yesterday saw PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man attending the meeting with Sultan Abdullah on behalf of his party president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who is being warded at the National Heart Institute here.

He was followed by MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, former two-time prime minister and Pejuang chief Dr Mahathir and Warisan head Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal. – The Vibes, June 11, 2021