KOTA KINABALU – Any attempt to change the government while the country is still battling Covid-19 is simply irresponsible, said Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.
The Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president said most party leaders have the good sense not to create more instability when Parliament finally reconvenes.
“From our observation, there is some good sense from the leadership. They follow the sentiment on the ground, which is to tackle Covid-19, rather than think about forming the next government.
“Even the opposition, like Anwar, Guan Eng and Dr Mahathir, they know stability is needed to regain our economic footing,” he said, referring to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Pejuang chief Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“If you are thinking about gaining a majority now, you are utterly irresponsible,” he told an online press conference after PBS’ 35th annual congress.
On whether he expects Parliament to sit sooner than August 1, when the emergency declared over the pandemic is slated to end, Ongkili said the matter is at the discretion of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
By law, he said, the prime minister is head of the government, and has “ultimate say in terms of advising the king”.
Following high-level meetings with the Malay rulers, top civil servants and party heads, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah yesterday said the reconvening of Parliament must be done as soon as possible. – The Vibes, June 17, 2021
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