KUALA LUMPUR: In an unexpected move, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix) called on the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government to seek a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the Dewan Rakyat rather than a proclamation of emergency.
He said Parliament is the best place to test the country’s political stability and level of confidence in Muhyiddin as the prime minister.
Government business takes precedence in the Dewan Rakyat and the motion should be tabled as part of government business, he added.
“Let the government make it a priority, which is to bring this vote of confidence,” Ahmad Zahid (BN-Bagan Datoh) said to the approval of other MPs, while debating the budget.
Any attempt to declare a nationwide emergency, he said, should be rejected by all MPs since an emergency declaration as sought by Muhyiddin’s government recently is not an option as the King and the Conference of Malay Rulers had rejected it.
On Oct 25, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah rejected Muhyiddin’s request for a proclamation of emergency nationwide to help the government address the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the King allowed the proclamation of an emergency in the Batu Sapi parliamentary constituency on Wednesday.
Ahmad Zahid added that an ideal option would be to return the mandate to the people by holding elections but considering the current pandemic, all MPs should unite.
He also touched on political dishonesty, saying sincerity should be proven through actions rather than mere words.
“There shouldn’t be questions about who contributes more and who should feel indebted.”
Yesterday was the last day for the debate on the budget before it moves to the committee stage on Monday.
The parliamentary sitting ends on Dec 15.
