KUALA LUMPUR – Declaring an emergency in the name of battling the Covid-19 pandemic, in the process suspending Parliament, should be the last resort, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The former prime minister, in a Facebook post, said if Perikatan Nasional’s concern is that its Budget 2021 will be rejected, the ruling pact should hold discussions with all quarters to ensure this does not happen.
“I believe no MP wants to reject the Budget that was drawn up to address Covid-19, recover the economy and assist the rakyat in these trying times.
“It will only court public backlash if any MP votes against (the Budget), just as what happened when the Temporary Measures for Government Financing (Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)) Bill 2020 was passed in August.
“The same will happen if any politicians or parties force a snap election at a time when the third Covid-19 wave has yet to be addressed.”
Najib, who also previously held the finance portfolio, said declaring an emergency would send the wrong message to investors.
“We must not sacrifice our economy and the survival of our people just to win the battle against Covid-19. We must win both wars.”
He warned that the public will view PN as a fragile, greedy and selfish government should a nationwide emergency be imposed.
“The people’s sentiment towards the administration will turn negative, and voters will begin to question every decision made by the government from then on. Even now, we have seen these sentiments flaring.
“And if the economy worsens, they will blame PN for calling an emergency. As a result, voters will punish them in the next general election.”
If the declaration is deemed necessary, he said, Section 18 of the National Security Council Act 2016 could be invoked, with only certain areas targeted.
“It is more targeted, and assistance can be mobilised in a more targeted manner.” – The Vibes, October 25, 2020
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