GEORGE TOWN – An Umno veteran appealed to the Conference of Rulers to aid the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in His Majesty’s quest to decide on the future of the country – a decision that is hoped to be well-received by all their subjects.
Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff, 91, said the next prime minister should be an individual who can lower the political temperature.
“Hopefully, it is not someone who indirectly raises the political heat – which is already high, driven by the ineffective policies of the previous government.”
Yussof contacted The Vibes to relay his plea to the royalty, saying that their wisdom and unbiased stance are crucial in helping Malaysia navigate past the pitfalls of the previous administration.
The Conference of Rulers is scheduled to meet to discuss the matter this afternoon.
Yussof said he supports party veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, 84 to become interim prime minister, as the latter is respected by all political parties.
Meanwhile, a Tengku Razaleigh aide said they are hurt because several Umno leaders had betrayed the Kelantan prince by going back on their word to support the Gua Musang MP’s nomination as prime minister.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is said to be the leading contender to become next head of government, after reportedly securing 114 votes from 220 lawmakers.
On the matter of choosing a leader, Yussof suggested the National Operations Council be re-established, and headed by a prime minister chosen by the ruler and council members comprising experts, politicians, statesmen and technocrats.
They will spearhead efforts to restore normalcy until it is safe to hold the 15th general election, when the mandate to decide goes back to the people, he added.
He said to fight against Covid-19, the nation needs a leader who can unite the people and instil confidence, not someone who does not practise what he preaches.
Yussof said the previous administration should not have conducted political activities during a pandemic, such as allowing state polls and overthrowing state governments, adding that it also hesitated when providing financial aid.
“After dividing the people, they then asked them to cooperate to fight Covid-19. Surely, an aggrieved society will not listen as they are hurt.
“With the ‘kita jaga kita’ concept in tatters, the virus feasted on our political fractures to set record highs in terms of cases and deaths. Almost all Malaysians know of someone who was taken away by the virus.”
And the people are confused, he added, as the authorities have reopened the economy in the midst of higher infection rates.
As of yesterday, Malaysia has recorded 1.47 million Covid-19 cases and 13,302 deaths.
For the president of Penang Malay Association – the oldest Malay organisation in the country – it is no longer about politics or politicians, but getting the right people to pull the country out of the pandemic, restore public healthcare and rebuild the economy. – The Vibes, August 20, 2021
