AMID ongoing move by several Government and Opposition backbenchers to get Istana Negara to revoke the Emergency, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) urged both coalitions to set aside their petty differences and focus on the health crisis plaguing the nation.
“Yes, we do need some form of a movement control order (MCO) to stem the rise of COVID-19 but an Emergency is definitely not needed.
“It’s obvious that the Government is afraid of getting toppled at this juncture. Can you imagine if a general election is called now? COVID-19 cases will flare up badly,” its chairperson Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj told FocusM.
In February, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, with consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, proclaimed an Emergency in a move to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The Pagoh MP defended the move saying that an Emergency would allow the Government to take control of private assets, particularly health premises, to help coronavirus patients.
However, his detractors from ally Umno and Pakatan Harapan claimed that Muhyiddin was using the Emergency to cling on to power, after the latter lost his majority at the Dewan Rakyat.
Last month, the Committee for the Cessation of State of Emergency delivered a petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, calling the latter to rescind the Emergency.
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad alleged that the Malays were angry with the royalty, as the Emergency was affecting their lives and livelihood.
“We can see this on social media. This is very unusual, for the Malays to get angry with the Ruler.
“It’s quite clear that a lot of Malays are now angry and suffering because of the Emergency. Not all Malays, but quite a considerable number are angry with the Agong,” Mahathir was reported saying.
Set aside petty politics
On that note, Jeyakumar urged politicians to focus on the issue at hand, which is dealing with COVID-19 and the volatile economic condition triggered by the coronavirus.
He added that as of now, Umno and PKR seemed to be more interested in triggering snap polls, which will only make the pandemic crisis worse.
“The Parliament should be reconvened so that we can deliberate on the public health crisis and economy, not collapse the sitting Government.
“For that to happen, all MPs should convince Muhyiddin that they will not try to dislodge the Government until the pandemic crisis is dealt with. Let’s work together on this.
“Even if Umno is not board, Pakatan and its 90 MPs can provide the support the prime minister needs to deal with the problems at hand.
“If that happens, then Muhyiddin will have no excuse to not reconvene the Parliament,” the former Sungai Siput MP remarked. – May 2, 2021.
