KOTA KINABALU – Following the royal rebuke over the retroactive revocation of emergency ordinances, two Sabah politicians have called for the formation of an interim government.
Former state youth and sports minister Phoong Jin Zhe and Datuk Ewon Benedick, who held the state rural development portfolio, today said the entire federal cabinet must resign so that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah can form an interim administration.
“The interim government must comprise members of political parties from both the opposition and ruling camps,” said Benedick, who is also United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) vice-president, at the Karamunsing police station here.
“It should be established solely for the purpose of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, and once that is over, it can be dissolved to pave the way for a proper election.”
Both Benedick and Phoong lodged a police report on behalf of the Pakatan Harapan and Upko Youth wings in relation to the king’s reprimand.
Kadamaian rep Benedick said the Sabah assembly should convene, given that Putrajaya has announced the revocation of emergency ordinances effective July 21.
“The state assembly should be allowed to reconvene so that Sabah can chart its own recovery path. There’s too much reliance on the federal government on this. Sabah needs its own approach and solution to deal with the pandemic.”
The state’s Covid-19 caseload has again spiked, with daily infections of late matching the figures recorded after the Sabah polls last September.
It recorded 918 cases on Wednesday, with the figure declining to 776 last night.
The daily tally is expected to hover around 700, with 74 localities statewide subjected to the enhanced movement control order.
Phoong of DAP said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s claim that the government still has majority support should be taken to Parliament.
“This could be raised in Parliament when it reconvenes on Monday next week.”
He echoed Benedick’s view that the Sabah assembly should sit as soon as possible.
The king yesterday reprimanded Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for announcing the revocation of emergency ordinances when the matter has yet to secure royal assent. – The Vibes, July 30, 2021
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