KUALA LUMPUR – Bersih 2.0 has urged Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to call an emergency Parliament sitting immediately to prove, via a vote of confidence, that he has majority support, and not to wait until next month.
A delay will prolong the country’s political instability, with parties vying for support from lawmakers by promising them plum appointments to government-linked companies and even cabinet positions, said the polls watchdog’s steering committee in a statement.
Enforcement bodies, like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Inland Revenue Board, police and Attorney-General’s Chambers, can be used to investigate and bring charges against those who do not align themselves with the government, it warned.
“Such tactics have been witnessed since the Sheraton Move that installed the Perikatan Nasional government.”
With the withdrawal of eight Umno MPs’ backing, as admitted by Muhyiddin himself, it is almost inconceivable that he still commands majority support, unless he already has caused or plans to trigger more defections from the opposition.
“Such political scheming must not be allowed to take place.”
Bersih said the parliamentary sitting that begins next month is meant for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to give his royal address, and should not be distracted with a vote of confidence that could bring about the resignation of the prime minister and his cabinet.
If the Muhyiddin government hopes to have the support of the opposition without resorting to enticing their MPs, he must, with all sincerity, reach out to the opposition leader to negotiate a confidence and supply agreement (CSA), where the opposition agrees to support the prime minister in exchange for meaningful roles in the task force to combat Covid-19 and revive the economy.
“The CSA must include legislated reforms that would level the playing field for all parties, like parliamentary reforms with all MPs sitting in select committees, equal constituency development funds, recall elections to deal with party-hopping, political financing reform, and the separation of the attorney-general’s role from that of the public prosecutor.”
It said the people expect political stability to be attained at this time of crisis, so that immediate health and economic concerns can be addressed.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president and PN chairman, announced that a vote of confidence to determine his legitimacy will be held in Parliament when the House reconvenes next month.
He said this in a televised address following his weekly audience with the Agong at Istana Negara.
“During the audience, I presented to the Agong that I’ve received a number of statutory declarations from MPs, convincing me that the majority of Dewan Rakyat members still support me.
“Therefore, the issue of my resignation under Article 43(4) (of the federal constitution) is not raised.”
No to ‘wheeling and dealing’
Meanwhile, Aliran said a parliamentary sitting for a vote of confidence should be convened within a week.
“The plight of ordinary people must take precedence over possible political wheeling and dealing ahead of the scheduled September meeting,” said the NGO’s executive committee in a statement.
“We fear that political manoeuvring such as horse trading and various inducements to lure defectors will divert the government’s attention from the people’s daily struggles.
“Worse, a September sitting will prolong the political temperature to the detriment of the people.”
Aliran also said that the country’s parliamentary democracy has been “paralysed” for a long time due to PN’s lack of confidence over its majority in the House.
“We cannot afford to prolong this political uncertainty,” it said. – The Vibes, August 4, 2021
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