GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) has called on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to form a national consultative council to restore political stability and save the pandemic-battered economy, failing which, the prime minister should “move on”.
President Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff said statesmen, retired top civil servants, technocrats and captains of industry should sit in the council, which can work on firming up policies aimed at tackling the country’s twin crises.
If the body is not established, he said, the prime minister should be brave enough to face a no-confidence motion in Parliament or resign.
He said political stability is key to containing Covid-19.
“If a leader cannot guarantee this, he or she may have to leave.
“Muhyiddin has served the nation well and deserves accolades for his role in public office, but now, there is unrest over his leadership.
“So, he must be prepared to take decisive action to ensure it does not further disrupt the country.”
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah made a wise decision to reject Muhyiddin’s proposal of emergency rule to combat the coronavirus, he said.
Yusoff, 90, who previously served as political secretary to Penang’s first chief minister, the late Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, said the prime minister should engage with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and veteran politicians like Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Pejuang founder Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the consultative council.
“Invite them to join the council, and if they reject, at least, the government tried to bring them over to help the country in this time of need.”
Pemenang was formed 93 years ago, and is certified as the oldest private Malay organisation in the country. – The Vibes, October 26, 2020
