KUCHING, July 8: GPS should withdraw its support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin immediately, without having to wait and see the episodes of political crisis unfolding in Peninsula Malaysia.
Suggesting this, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak information chief Abun Sui Anyit emphasised that if Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is smart, the coalition will take this golden opportunity to move Sarawak to new heights.
“GPS has a strong bloc and of course, they have the bargaining power.
“Why waste GPS support for a failed PN government, but instead shift the support to the PH (Pakatan Harapan) to lead the country and the coalition may be able to offer themselves for the post of a deputy prime minister.
“This is not an impossible thing in the world of politics,” he said in a statement in response to the deepening political crisis in Peninsula Malaysia following the Umno Supreme Council’s decision to revoke the party’s support for the PN government with immediate effect.
Commenting on Umno’s move, Abun Sui pointed out that technically, the decision based on the current 38 Umno MPs can be considered as no longer supporting Muhyiddin.
“In pursuant to Article 43 (4) of the Federal Constitution, the Prime Minister should resign or seek the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat.
“However, with the Covid-19 pandemic still plaguing the country, it is unlikely that Agong will allow the dissolution of the Parliament to make way for the country to hold its 15th General Election,” he added.
Meanwhile, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made the sudden announcement in a Facebook live broadcast last night following the conclusion of the over four-hour long Supreme Council meeting.
It came just hours after Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as deputy prime minister and senior minister, respectively.
Zahid also called on Muhyiddin to step down from his post to allow for the appointment of a temporary prime minister who will focus on the people’s wellbeing, address the Covid-19 pandemic and ensure that the vaccination process is expedited.
He pointed out that the PN government had failed to meet the seven conditions outlined by Umno for the party to continue supporting the government.
Among the shortcomings of the government he listed out were its alleged failure in effectively addressing the pandemic, noting the inconsistent policies and the “half-baked” Movement Control Order (MCO).
Besides that, Zahid said the PN government had misused the proclamation of emergency by using it for political purposes rather than to help the people, pointing out the practice of double standards in enforcement.
He also claimed that the government has been slow in managing assistance for the people; has failed to reassure the public that it has the people’s best interests in mind; failed to ensure political and economic stability which drove away investors; and had trivialised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s command to allow the convening of Parliament to debate the Emergency Ordinance and the National Recovery Plan.
Zahid emphasised that Umno does not support any effort in naming Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a candidate for prime minister, nor will it support any DAP/PH-led government.
On the appointment of a temporary prime minister, Zahid said once herd immunity has been achieved, he said the new premier should immediately advise the King for the 15th General Election to be held. — DayakDaily
