KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has criticised the current government over proposals to declare an emergency because of the surge in Covid-19 cases.
“What can an emergency do to stop the pandemic more than what we can do now. Nothing. But an emergency would give extra power to the Prime Minister. What he has done so far has not mitigated the political, economic and social problems affecting the country.
“There are no riots or violence in Malaysia, no breakdown of laws and order to justify an emergency,” he said in his blog chedet.cc today.
He also said Muhyiddin has a huge cabinet which has contributed nothing to the well-being of the people and the country.
“This government is not the government elected by the people. It has come to power by undemocratic means. And now it is only concerned about staying in power,” he added.
Faced with the possibility of being overthrown, Mahathir said the Prime Minister wants the powers under a state of emergency.
“The only beneficiary would be to the prime minister, as Parliament would be paralysed. He would claim that it is the wish of the Palace.
“Already, the mere rumour of an emergency has resulted in the stock market taking a deep dive. If an emergency is declared, then the market will collapse completely. The investors have no faith in the prime minister being able to manage the economy," he said.
Mahathir also said Muhyiddin messed up the Covid-19 situation by trying to topple the Warisan-led Sabah government which led to the September 26 state polls.
“The present spike is entirely due to the Sabah elections,” he said.
He also said countries with more severe Covid-19 problems have not declared an emergency for the whole country but only for the affected areas.
“That was specific for dealing with the local problem. But none have suspended laws and Parliament as it would if an emergency is declared in Malaysia,” he said.
He added that there is a need for some changes to be made to the government which seized power through undemocratic means. – The Vibes, October 24, 2020
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