[UPDATED] Muhyiddin’s final plea for opposition support

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has made a last-ditch appeal to opposition MPs for bipartisan support during the vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat in an effort to continue administrating the country.

In what appears to be a desperate attempt to cling to his position amid growing indication of a loss of majority support, the embattled prime minister has promised to implement a slew of changes and policies.

This includes introducing a two-term limit for the prime minister and an anti-party-hopping law, benefits and remuneration for the opposition leader equal to a federal senior minister’s, and include opposition MPs in discussion of any bill, including federal budgets.

As such, Muhyiddin said he is inviting leaders of all political parties to consider his offer next week.

“I will issue a formal invitation to all parties to be present. I am prepared to listen to their views. And if this proposal for bipartisanship is agreed upon, then I will call for a special Dewan Rakyat sitting in the near future for a vote of confidence,” he said in a special address today.

Muhyiddin said his decision to negotiate with parties outside Perikatan Nasional was made after discussions with government leaders and cabinet members, all of whom have noted his loss of majority support following the withdrawal of several Umno MPs.

He said bipartisan cooperation will allow the government to continue functioning to manage the pandemic until a suitable enough time arrives for elections to be held.

“The government that will emerge after the motion of confidence will be a more stable and inclusive government.

“It will be stable with bipartisan support in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, as well as inclusive with recognition for opposition parties to play a more effective and comprehensive check-and-balance role.

“Political stability is very important in our fight against the pandemic. We have to understand that the process of recovery for the country is not easy,” he said.

Elaborating on a framework to appeal opposition parties to support him when the confident vote is being tabled, he proposed to them seven reforms.

Those reforms are:

1. An equal annual allocation for all MPs, regardless of party. For opposition MPs, the allocation for this year will be made on a pro-rated basis according to the remaining number of months.

2. The Finance Ministry has agreed to increase the ceiling for the Covid-19 fund by RM45 billion from RM65 billion, which was approved by Parliament, to RM110 billion.

3. If the government successfully gets bipartisan support in Parliament with more than two-thirds’ majority, it will table a law to amend the federal constitution to limit prime ministership to two terms, as well as implement an anti-party-hopping law.

4. Half the select committees will be chaired by opposition MPs.

5. Implementation of the Undi18 initiative without waiting for automatic voter registration.

6. Bills, including supply bills that will be tabled in Parliament, will be consulted in advance with all MPs. The bill will only be tabled if it has received majority support from MPs.

7. Opposition leader to be given the status of a senior minister in recognition of the role played by the opposition bloc. He or she will be given remuneration and benefits equivalent to that of a senior minister.

However, the Pagoh MP said these reforms will only be implemented if the vote of confidence for him is passed.

Meanwhile, according to an aide, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was unable to attend the live address as he had more pressing matters to attend to.

In a brief message to The Vibes, Ismail Sabri said he was unable to join the other ministers at the delayed telecast of Muhyiddin’s address as he was in Johor Baru meeting the sultan.

“I’m in JB with Tuanku,” he said, sharing Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar’s Instagram post of them at Istana Pelangi.

The post says Ismail Sabri had arrived at the palace at 10.45am and had an hour-long audience with the sultan. – The Vibes, August 13, 2021