DAP lawmakers Ong Kian Ming and Wong Kah Woh appeared to be at odds over Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's peace offer.
Taking to Twitter this evening, Ong, who is the MP for Bangi, underscored the impact of the proposals on Malaysian politics.
“Muhyiddin has proposed a way forward with a number of institutional reforms that could leave a lasting impact on Malaysian politics if passed.
“I think that all political parties should sit down to discuss if these terms are acceptable or not, no?” he added.
However, Wong was not convinced that the prime minister, who rose to power through the defection of lawmakers, would keep his word.
Responding to Ong's tweet, he replied: Totally disagree.”
On his personal Twitter account, the Ipoh Timur MP said: “Can you trust this government in enacting an anti-hopping law? Joke kah?”
“Muhyiddin must go now. He has admitted he doesn't have majority. There is no other way but to resign. Let the (Yang di-Pertuan) Agong exercise the power to choose a new PM,” he added.
Ong and Wong were responding to Muhyiddin's televised address earlier, asking the opposition to support him in the vote of confidence in exchange for a slew of reforms.
Among the reforms is to institute laws to prevent MPs from defecting.
He also promised to limit the term of the prime minister, for the opposition leader to be treated as a senior cabinet minister, annual allocation for all MPs, half of the select committees to be headed by the opposition, bi-partisan consultation for supply (budget) bills and the implementation of Undi18 without waiting for automatic registration.
During the five-day special Parliament sitting last month, Ong proposed a political moratorium to enable the government and opposition to work together to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government has come under intense criticism for failing to contain the surge in Covid-19 cases, which has claimed more than 11,000 lives in Malaysia.
Questions were raised regarding Muhyiddin's legitimacy as prime minister after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and party lawmakers aligned to him withdrew their support.
Earlier this month, another DAP lawmaker, Tony Pua, suggested tolerating the Perikatan Nasional government to prevent the “kleptocrats” in Umno from escaping conviction and returning to power.
In his address this evening, Muhyiddin said he is duty-bound to prevent the “kleptocrats” from taking over the leadership reins.
This morning, a group called Pertubuhan Sahabat Ulul Amri Malaysia (PSUAM) petitioned the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to pardon former premier and Umno MP Najib Abdul Razak in order for the latter to become the interim prime minister.
However, Najib denied that he is seeking a pardon and insinuated that Muhyiddin's government could be behind the group.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Ali Biju hailed the proposed reforms.
The former PKR man said these were “not mere political rhetoric or flimsy manifestos” and the opposition cannot refuse it because of the nation's future.
“The impact of these reforms will be far-reaching and will change not only the political landscape of today but for many generations to come, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.
“These reforms are what we have been fighting for, especially myself since my days in PKR. With bi-partisan support, we will see our political struggle bearing fruit.
“Enough dallying with kleptocrats. The rakyat is now banking on us to lift this nation out of an impasse that is wreaking havoc.
“Let us work together on real change for once and put aside our differences. The offer has been made, and the time has come. What else are we waiting for?” he added in a statement. - Mkini
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