By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 4: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg today said he supports the decision of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to table a confidence vote to determine his legitimacy as Prime Minister in Parliament as this is the best approach to break the political impasse in Peninsular Malaysia.
Abang Johari’s view was that Muhyiddin has made a wise and bold decision for the country as this will confirm his position as the Prime Minister and Perikatan Nasional (PN) as the ruling government lawfully and constitutionally.
“A confidence vote to determine the majority of support from Members of Parliament (MPs) is in accordance with the constitution which must be done in the Dewan Rakyat.
“This is because you cannot assume you have the majority. In this matter, we support the decision of the Prime Minister to table a motion (of confidence vote) in Parliament to determine if he commands the majority or not.
“We think this is the best way to resolve the political impasse in Peninsular Malaysia and once the Prime Minister proves that he has the majority of support, he can carry on leading the country.
“This is a bold and courageous approach as without support, you have to face the consequence,” he said when met by reporters after announcing the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 7.0 initiative and handing over of BKSS 6.0 in a simple ceremony.
More importantly, Abang Johari emphasised, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) remained firm on its stand for Malaysia to have a stable government as the country is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic which has yet to see an improvement.
“To us, a stable government is crucial, otherwise it will cause public anxiety and uncertainty.
“At present, the most important thing is the people. Moreover, the term of the PN government is just less than two years so why have to fight like this? Why not wait for the general elections and let the present government continue administering the nation?” he opined.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin earlier today announced that a confidence vote will be tabled in Parliament when it convenes in September, while insisting that he still has the required majority support from lawmakers in form of statutory declarations (SDs) to lead Malaysia.
The premier announced this in a televised national address after a morning audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after being summoned following the withdrawal of support of some 11 United Malays National Organisation (Umno) MPs for the PN government.
The Agong, who had obtained SDs from eight Umno MPs who formally informed the Dewan Rakyat Speaker they were withdrawing support for Muhyiddin, has consented to his proposal for a confidence vote in September.
Muhyiddin said his Cabinet and the current government bureaucracy will continue to function normally, with particular focus on reining in Covid-19 infections which have remained above the 10,000 caseload daily.
The political turmoil comes after Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday claimed that enough of the party’s federal lawmakers have signed a declaration to withdraw support for Muhyiddin and the PN government. — DayakDaily
