[UPDATED] You cowards! Baling MP slams PH for not opposing Dr Mahathir, allowing Sheraton Move

KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers were branded cowards by an impassioned Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling-BN) for not voicing out against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Langkawi-Pejuang) for allowing the collapse of the then PH-led government.

Debating on the anti-party hopping bill today, the Umno lawmaker also pinned the blame solely on the former prime minister over what transpired during the political crisis in 2020 that saw Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-Bersatu) coming into power.

In a fiery speech, Azeez added how Dr Mahathir had chosen to relinquish his prime minister post without first engaging with his cabinet – after supposedly losing majority support – which eventually led to massive defections among those from PH.

Debating on the anti-party hopping bill today, Baling MP @azeezputera pinned the blame solely on @chedetofficial over what transpired during the political crisis in 2020 that saw @MuhyiddinYassin coming into power. pic.twitter.com/5qE9u9MvlI

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) July 28, 2022

“I’m perplexed. Other than Port Dickson (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), none of you ever dared to criticise Langkawi in this house over his fault in betraying the rakyat.

“All this happened because of Langkawi alone. Why can’t you all stand up and speak out?

“Langkawi is the father of defection. He was Umno’s prime minister, and simply because he was angry at certain individuals, he joined Bersatu as chairman. Later, he lied and betrayed his friends in Bersatu, and today he is with Pejuang.”

Azeez said the events during the Sheraton Move laid bare PH’s “cowardice” and instability for the rakyat to see, and that he was convinced the coalition would be punished in the coming election. 

“In Parliament, they all become heroes, shouting so much to show the rakyat as though they are working. The fact is, when Langkawi resigned, no one spoke out against him until today. They are only brave in Dewan.”

Unimpressed by the accusations hurled at PH lawmakers, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor-PH) said Dr Mahathir had no choice then but to resign as prime minister after failing to command the support of his Bersatu MPs. 

Azeez responded by saying that while he somewhat agreed to this point, his main argument revolved around PH’s failure in rebuking Dr Mahathir. 

The situation became more tense as Dr Dzulkefly slammed his Umno counterpart for hurling accusations, questioning the latter who was the one who claimed that none from the coalition had reprimanded Dr Mahathir, and told him to check on his facts. 

“The government fell because of Pagoh and Gombak (Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali). Please say that!”

In response, the Baling MP said: “No, no, no, it is because of Langkawi! The fact is, we must call a spade a spade. What I’m saying is the bitter truth. When you tell the truth, obviously it will hurt.”

Disband parties that accept frogs

Earlier in his speech, Azeez had suggested also penalising political outfits that accept party-hoppers, insisting that the buck should not stop just with the latter. 

Under the current proposed anti-party hopping bill, the federal constitution will be amended to allow parliamentary seats to be vacated should an elected representative switch parties. 

Azeez argued that cases of floor crossing would not happen if parties do not accept these MPs as members. 

He proposed amending the constitution so parliamentary seats belonging to top postholders and decision makers in the accepting party would also be vacated, and by-elections be held. 

“Perhaps, there could also be a clause in the constitution to allow a party to be deregistered by the Registrar of Societies. 

“The reason I’m suggesting this is because the action of party hopping is a betrayal to the mandate given by the rakyat. 

“I want my debate today to be heard by the rakyat, not the Dewan Rakyat. The House is also familiar (with party-hopping). Jump or no jump, they (MPs) still get paid the same, some even get promoted. The ones suffering are the people.” – The Vibes, July 28, 2022