CONCERNED about the reports that the government is seeking to implement emergency measures to curb the parliamentary process, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to consider the legacy of these actions.
According to the opposition party leader, Muhyiddin is taking out such action out of self-interest and selfishness.
“Today we have a government which lacks legitimacy and which knows it would fail to demonstrate majority support in Parliament and is using the Covid-19 crisis as an excuse to justify its abuse of power,” Anwar said in a statement today.
He noted that a state of emergency is declared when there is a threat to the national security.
“But when the government is itself the source of that threat then a state of emergency is nothing more than the descent into dictatorship and authoritarianism,” he added.
He also stated that by seeking emergency powers the Perikatan Nasional government revealed its sheer incompetence in handling the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.
“The Government has failed to provide strong leadership in handling this crisis and is instead resorting to undemocratic means to stay in power.
“While we have yet to see a solid strategy to handle the crisis, the Government thinks receding democratic power is the best strategy.
“What we need to overcome the pandemic is transparency, accountability and firm action by various ministries,” he remarked.
Anwar further stated that while the rest of Asia is looking for ways to manage the virus and reopen their economies safely, Malaysia is heading the opposite direction.
Echoing Anwar’s sentiments, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu expressed that it is not the country that is in emergency but it’s Muhyiddin himself.
“He (Muhyiddin) is in emergency to defend his prime minister post,” Mohd Sabu said.
“If the reason for the emergency measure is to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, we already have laws that can be imposed to effectively combat the disease. There is no need for emergency declaration.”
Meanwhile, Klang member of parliament Charles Santiago said: “This is not about the people but the prime minister staying in power.
“This move, if it’s true, is about stalling all political processes, just in case the PM can’t push his budget through indicating he doesn’t have majority support in Parliament.”
He pointed out that at a time when people don’t have food and businesses are collapsing, an emergency declaration would result in vulnerable communities likely starving to death and a drop in business confidence.
“Opposition political parties, CSOs and every Malaysian must pushback strongly if the Government declares an emergency. Or we can kiss remnants of democracy goodbye,” he exclaimed. – Oct 23, 2020
