MPs, be bold and say whether you back the PM

 

From Clement Stanley

We the people are told to band together to fight the unseen enemy Covid-19. Well and good.

However, hovering above us is the political uncertainty in our country. This may escape the naked eye but believe you me, the threat of an unsteady government built on shaky foundations is just as dangerous to the wellbeing of the nation as this raging pandemic.

Certainly the ongoing saga between the Perikatan Nasiona-led government and the opposition is not benefitting the rakyat in any way.

Today, there are politicians and political analysts who are suggesting that Parliament be convened immediately with the promise that there be no vote of no-confidence moved against the prime minister and his government.

Rather, Parliament should meet to discuss the critical Covid-19 situation in our country. The politicians speak of a possible virtual Parliamentary meeting in the absence of a physical meeting.

The emergency as it stands is scheduled to end in August but it could also be extended if the Covid-19 situation shows no sign of slowing down.

So, where does that leave us as far as political stability is concerned?

The opposition continues to bark endlessly against the government of Muhyiddin Yassin claiming that he has failed miserably. In not so many words they believe they can do a better job given the opportunity. Perhaps they can. Perhaps not.

But one thing is certain: We are simply getting nowhere with political instability. Perhaps a unity government once proposed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the solution, but it is easier said than done.

The way I see it, since both sides are going for each other’s throat while the rakyat languishes in misery, why not solve this problem immediately?

Why doesn’t the opposition show us just who has lost confidence in Muhyiddin?

Don’t just say you have the numbers and that it is only for the eyes of the Agong. Publicise the list of names of those who have lost confidence in Muhyiddin and go to the press with the list, then viral it.

That way we, the rakyat, will know who is playing a double game and whether we still want them in the next general election as our policy-makers and to be our voices in Parliament.

As it stands, these spineless politicians are having the cake and eating it. They are enjoying power and the privileges that come with it, including fat cat salaries, monthly allowances and perks – which is more than what some of us can earn in a year, in some cases.

If these politicians continue to bask in the glory and live off the people’s taxes while playing a game of poker with the prime minister, that is unacceptable.

If you had the courage to stand as a candidate in the last general election and offered yourself as a voice for the people, then you must have the same courage to come out openly and state whether or not you have lost confidence in the leadership of Muhyiddin.

Be a man. Don’t be a “lalang” in your conviction or political stand. Just confirm how you feel about serving our current prime minister and make your stand known publicly. That way you might not even need Parliament to reconvene.

To quote Charles Dickens in a Tale of Two Cities, “it would be a far, far better thing to do than you have ever done”. - FMT

Clement Stanley is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.