KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has warned the opposition against using Parliament to wrest power when the House reconvenes.
The foreign minister, in a statement today, said the opposition bloc has the right to criticise, but the public will not take well to political turmoil, especially given the current situation.
“If the intention of the opposition is to use Parliament only to gain power, and not for constructive discourse, it will bring about problems.
There should be reforms in politics, but not without limits. This is the best time for us politicians from both sides to prove to the people that we are here to serve.
“It is up to us, when Parliament reconvenes, to show the people that we are here for their benefit, and not our personal ambitions. The general public needs to understand that it is not as easy as opening the hall and sitting down.
“As we are looking at the possibility of a hybrid session, the government needs to be given space to consider and plan processes to ensure that each proceeding runs smoothly.”
A group of MPs has urged for Parliament to reconvene, with some claiming to have “enough numbers to form a new government”, he said.
“I believe this is not the development that the people want when the country is still in a pandemic. The people want us to focus on the management of Covid-19 – I share their hopes as well.
“For me, ‘baling batu, sembunyi tangan’ is just a cheap move that serves only certain self-interests. Defamation is intended only to distract and divert attention from discussions on how to drive the country in a better direction.
“There have been many political issues in recent years. It is tiring. Even I myself don’t miss it.”
He said calls for Parliament to reconvene have a hidden agenda, but this should not be used as a tool to “satisfy the political lust of some individuals”.
“Such efforts are not new. We’ve seen it over and over – most recently in September 2020. They’re so obsessed with ‘strong, great, convincing’ numbers – so much so that it seeps into various scenarios, as well as trying to convince everyone that they’re united, with the agenda of returning to power.
I realise that there are a handful who choose to attack me with accusations and slander. Spreading fake news has become a political practice in our country.
“We should be supportive of the National Recovery Plan, not be sceptical. The plan will work only if all parties work together to find a way out of this pandemic.”
On June 10, The Vibes reported that Umno MPs are being approached to vouch for Hishammuddin as the candidate for the deputy prime minister’s post.
What has set tongues wagging is that representations are being made to party members that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will step down as prime minister in the months ahead, allowing Hishammuddin to take over as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister.
While many may be able to stomach Hishammuddin as the nation’s third prime minister in as many years following the 2018 general election that saw Barisan Nasional defeated for the first time, another scenario could be more difficult for Umno members to accept: Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali as deputy prime minister.
Hishammuddin’s hat being thrown in the ring does come as a surprise. Despite his seniority, he does not hold any top post in Umno.
He is not even in the Supreme Council, although his grandfather, Dato Sir Onn Jaafar, was a founder of the party, and his father, Tun Hussein Onn, was Malaysia’s third prime minister.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, meanwhile, is a cousin.
It is learnt that party members, as well as several non-Umno leaders, are being told that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to this proposal.
“However, we know this is not accurate, as His Majesty has yet to take a position on this. Moreover, he has not yet finished meeting all political party leaders,” said a high-placed source. – The Vibes, June 16, 2021
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