Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has defended his request for parliament to expedite the debate of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, stressing that it should not be seen as his own personal interest for the position.
In a statement, the veteran politician cited his own letter to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, urging for debate of the motion filed by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"My initiative with the speaker should not be seen as self-serving or that I may have a vested interest in the position of the prime minister," he said, stressing that it was done only to uphold principles of the parliamentary system.
Responding to Tengku Razaleigh, Azhar had argued that the speaker has no powers to speed up a debate of a private member's motion of no confidence and that such matters also does not fall under Standing Order 18(1) on matters of urgent public importance.
Tengku Razaleigh also said his letter was sent with reasons to believe that Muhyiddin and his cabinet no longer commands majority support in the Dewan Rakyat and has, therefore, lost its legitimacy.
Meanwhile, on Muhyiddin's move to seek the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare a state of emergency yesterday, Tengku Razaligh said he was dismayed and shocked by the decision.
"I am dismayed and shocked that the prime minister (with the support of his cabinet) is now seeking the consent of our Agong to declare a state of emergency and presumably to put himself in charge of this emergency administration which would have far-reaching powers.
"I am not questioning the right of any prime minister to seek a declaration for a state of emergency with the Agong as stipulated in our constitution but rather the basis, rationale, timing and the real motive for it," he said.
In the current situation, Tengku Razaleigh noted that the government's handling of the public healthcare crisis might not have been done in the best interest of the public.
"Our parliamentary system of democracy is working well and there are no mass rebellion or riots on our streets.
"I cannot see any honest basis for such a request while I can only suspect non-honourable motives behind it," he said.
The former finance minister further warned that declaration of a state of emergency would have severe repercussions on Malaysia's economy.
"I can say with some certainty that it may be the final nail in the coffin of our already battered economy.
"Local and foreign investors would shun us completely. Business confidence would be at ground zero," said the former World Bank chairperson.
Muhyiddin's critics had accused the prime minister of seeking an emergency declaration to effectively suspend Parliament sitting on Nov 2 and evading a potential vote of no confidence or a vote against Budget 2021.
Earlier today, Muhyiddin chaired the daily National Security Council meeting on Covid-19, where he stressed on the need to establish a detailed mid-term to a long-term plan to protect the people's livelihood and sustain the economy, as well as to address the people's needs.
Istana Negara in a statement this morning said the King will discuss with the other rulers on the suggestions he received from the cabinet yesterday.
The statement, however, did not give any details on the suggestions or if a proclamation of emergency was part of the suggestions as heavily speculated. - Mkini
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