KUALA LUMPUR - Opposition lawmakers have warned Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin not to put his own political interest over the country in light of speculations that his cabinet has agreed on having a state of emergency to counter the Covid-19 pandemic.
They claimed that the move if it comes to fruition, would be nothing more than a desperate attempt to hold on to power and clamp down on the opposition.
This is especially so as several opposition MPs have sought to table a motion of no-confidence against Muhyiddin in the upcoming parliamentary sitting. There is also the fear that his 2021 Budget could be rejected by MPs in the house.
If the budget fails to gain adequate support, it would be the first time that a national budget met such a fate in the history of the Dewan Rakyat. It would also prove that Muhyiddin lacks majority support in Parliament to be the prime minister.
DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago said calling for an emergency would in no way solve the pandemic situation, as other measures like the movement control order (MCO) would be more appropriate.
He rebuked Muhyiddin for using the pandemic to justify making such a drastic call if it happens.
“This whole situation seems as though it is to save Muhyiddin’s own job (as the prime minister),” he told The Vibes.
“The supposed emergency is just an approach to stifle the opposition and the strong calls for a no-confidence motion to be tabled. It is nothing but political. So stop using Covid-19 as an excuse.
“He is only putting his interest and that of his friends over our own country,” he said.
Charles said declaring an emergency would also affect foreign investors’ confidence, with trading expected to see a significant dip.
Following the special cabinet meeting yesterday Muhyiddin had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in his Kuantan palace in the evening, fuelling further rumours that an emergency could be called soon.
Emergency would sow more confusion
PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said as the head of the administration, Muhyiddin ought to be thinking of the country and its people first, instead of prioritising his own personal interest.
He sees the possible move for an emergency as Muhyiddin’s desperate bid at saving his job, which has been at the centre of much attention over the past month.
Fahmi said his biggest concern is that an emergency declaration would sow further confusion among the rakyat, as some other announcements made by the Perikatan Nasional government on the handling of the Covid-19 situation have done.
“This is especially so given how the government has been handling the current CMCO in Klang Valley and Sabah,” said Fahmi who is Lembah Pantai MP.
“People are already losing jobs, companies have folded. I don’t know if this would be the best move,” he said when contacted.
Fahmi said a better approach would be to only declare emergency in specific areas with high numbers of Covid-19 cases, rather than a blanket decision for the whole country.
“It has to be targeted and more specific. And there must also be no suspension of our democratic rights, fundamental human rights and our constitution,” he said.
DAP’s Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh meanwhile said it would be impossible to hold the government responsible over its handling of the Covid-19 crisis, for which it has been criticised of late, if Parliament is suspended in the event a state of emergency is declared.
“There are other options available to address the Covid-19 menace such as more targeted movement control orders in areas most affected and increased testing which can flatten the curve in the near future,” he said in a statement.
“Imposing a state of emergency now may be too drastic a step,” he said. - The Vibes, October 24, 2020
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