CERTAIN politicians seem to be taking advantage of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s recent decree for Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible to continue politicking and sowing discord is getting rather stale these days.
Yes, we are talking about Umno’s recent ultimatum to the Government: 14 days’ notice to urgently reconvene Parliament, with failure to do so to be viewed as insolence towards the Agong’s decree and disrespect for the Conference of Rulers.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi added that no decision had been made by Umno yet on what actions would be taken if the suggestion to reopen Parliament in two weeks was not followed.
But is this the best that Zahid can do – declare insolence towards the Agong? The fact that no decision has been made on the next course of action should the ultimatum be ignored is telling sign of what a train wreck this is bound to become.
Coming from the country’s oldest and largest political party, making empty threats and not following up on them further erode the diminished stature it had suffered, and for a party that’s already suffering from so many internal fractures, there is very little doubt that it would come out from the other side of the ultimatum completely unscathed.
But back to issue of the 14-day notice. If Umno truly believes in the sanctity of its constitution’s Article 3, which is to protect and defend the Malay rulers’ institution, then their narrative should revolve around the actions to be taken by the party as a consequence of prime minister Tan Sri Mahiaddin Yassin’s inaction.
What is Umno going to do? The consequences of Mahiaddin and Co’s inaction must be explained for the threat to be taken seriously.
Is Umno going to sever its alliance with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), of which Mahiaddin is president? Cease Umno’s support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration? Seek an audience with the Agong? Initiate a lawsuit against the Government?
This isn’t the first time Umno has resorted to making threats and issuing ultimatums, and it’s safe to say that this wouldn’t be the last. But one thing that we can all agree on is that the strategy has become repetitive and tiresome.
Instead of paying lip service, perhaps some follow-up action would be great. – June 25, 2021
