MCA Youth slams emergency talk over water crisis as “abuse of power”

 

ANY attempt to use water supply issues as grounds to declare a state of emergency or delay elections is an abuse of power that undermines democratic rights, said Melaka MCA Youth chief Tee Tian Leng.

Responding to Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong’s suggestion to seek an emergency declaration to postpone the Melaka state election, Tee said the proposal reflects a troubling attempt to evade accountability.

“Using a water crisis to justify emergency rule is fundamentally flawed and raises serious concerns about political motives,” he said.

Tee also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies within DAP, noting that party leaders had strongly criticised the use of emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In 2021, DAP leaders condemned the emergency declared by the then government as a ‘blank cheque’ that weakened checks and balances. Today, similar calls are coming from within their own ranks,” he lamented.

He added that such contradictions risk eroding public trust and raising questions about political principles.

While acknowledging that water shortages are a serious issue, Tee emphasised that they should be addressed through policy solutions rather than extraordinary measures.

“Water supply disruptions are matters of infrastructure and governance. They require better management and long-term planning, not emergency powers,” he remarked.

He warned that normalising the use of emergency declarations for administrative challenges could set a dangerous precedent.

“If an emergency can be declared over water today, what prevents it from being used tomorrow for electricity issues, rising costs, or other governance challenges?” he asked.

Tee emphasised that emergency powers should only be invoked in exceptional circumstances, such as threats to national security or public health crises, not routine administrative problems.

He urged the government to focus on resolving the water crisis through immediate infrastructure upgrades and improved resource management instead of pursuing what he described as political distractions.

“The government’s duty is to solve problems, not avoid them. Democracy demands accountability, and the rakyat must not be denied their right to choose,” he said. ‒  Focus Malaysia