Another NOC? Heaven forbids that ever happens, Zaid retorts

AGHAST over suggestions that a National Operations Council (NOC) is established to manage the pandemic, a former law minister said the idea would only create more instability in the country.

“I didn’t realise an NOC was suggested to Istana Negara until I read a report on a news portal. The notion that a smaller committee of 10 can do a better job than a Government led by a prime minister (who knows what to do) in dealing with COVID-19 is farfetched.

“Smaller committees don’t equate with effectiveness and there is no guarantee that NOC is not the precursor to another political play. It will just add to more instability.

“Anyway, no country in the world has adopted the NOC approach in dealing with the pandemic successfully. Why are we even considering this?” asked Datuk Zaid Ibrahim in a Facebook post.

Two days ago, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad revealed that he has suggested the formation of the NOC to manage the pandemic crisis, during an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The two-time prime minister also said that he offered to the lead the council, if there is a need for it.

“The Agong didn’t reject it. He didn’t say ‘no’. But he said in order to set up the NOC, the proposal must come from the Government.

“But I don’t think the Government will propose this, I don’t think it’s going to happen at all,” Malaysiakini reported him as saying.

Following the infamous May 13 racial riots in 1969, the Government established the NOC to steer the nation back to normalcy, headed by then Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak.

However, the NOC was marred with several accusations, with one claiming it weakened then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman’s hold on power, who eventually quit to give way to Razak.

Interim prime minister

Zaid said the solution to the current pandemic and economic predicament should not create more complications, adding it was better for Istana Negara to appoint an interim prime minister to manage the situation instead.

“If the Opposition Leader commands majority support from Dewan Rakyat, then let Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim form a new Government. The effectiveness of a Government in dealing with chronic problems depends largely on the support given to the leader,” he opined.

However, if Anwar does not have the support, Zaid said it was best for the Palace to appoint an interim premier who commands acceptable support so the individual can focus on the task at hand.

“An interim prime minister whose tenure is short, say for a period of 12 months, will not attract ‘plotters’ working with the ‘frogs’ in Parliament to topple the Government.

“The person’s role in dealing with COVID-19 effectively and prepare the country for the next general election is somewhat limited, hence will probably go undisturbed,” the former Kota Bharu MP added.

However, Zaid stressed that it does not mean that the current prime minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has to be replaced come June 16, provided the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is satisfied that the former commands majority support at the Dewan Rakyat and has done well on managing the crises.

“Maybe the monarch will get Muhyiddin to reconvene the Parliament if majority of MPs still support him and lift the Emergency come Aug 1.

“However, in this scenario, Muhyiddin will have sleepless nights if he is actually short of support. It’s easier to claim support behind press conferences as opposed to standing in the Parliament where everyone can see,” Zaid stated. – June 12, 2021

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