Outgoing Agong warns against change of govt

 

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah warned against changing the government before the end of its term.

During an interview with the media at Istana Negara, the outgoing king urged politicians to move away from politicking and towards working on racial harmony, improving the economy, and developing the country.

“The change in government is not an easy matter because it causes us, the people and the country, to suffer losses - financially and time. I don’t want to discredit any political party, but the experience of changing the government is a process that is quite detrimental to the country.

“We already have a written democratic process which states that every five years we have a general election, so let at least four, five years pass for a government to govern, not just one or two years to change arbitrarily,” His Majesty was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also criticised the Dubai Move, an alleged plot to topple the current government, saying that the democratic process must be respected.

Sultan Abdullah was speaking in an interview in conjunction with the last day of His Majesty’s reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which falls tomorrow (Jan 30).

Weaknesses being fixed

The Dubai Move refers to an alleged plot to topple the government involving Perikatan Nasional leaders and government backbenchers who reportedly met in the United Arab Emirates.

Although Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed it, PN leaders have denied the existence of such a plot.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong cautioned against judging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government based on its first year in power, saying weaknesses were inevitable.

“What’s important is that the government led by Anwar is trying to fix those weaknesses.

“We know there are many plans - A, B, C, D - and there may also be policies that may not be popular. Sometimes the government has to make less popular decisions for the good of the country in the future.

“I hope the government continues to provide understanding to the people out there,” he said.

Stability and success

He also spoke on his experience of the 15th general election, saying that his only wish is for a stable and successful country.

“So when it came to this election (GE15), I wanted a harmonious situation in our country.

“It should start in Parliament itself. We can’t keep fighting or thinking differently. We want to advance our country, to improve the good name of our country.

“My only intention is to have, if possible, all parties form a strong and solid government so that we can continue to develop a stable and successful country,” he said.

GE15 resulted in a hung parliament, with the country stuck in a political impasse for five days. Sultan Abdullah then suggested the formation of a coalition government.

However, PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin rejected the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s suggestion that his coalition form a unity government with Pakatan Harapan.

Harapan and BN, along with other parties, agreed to form a coalition government, leading to the Madani administration of today.

Sultan Abdullah will be replaced by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who will be ascending the federal throne on Jan 31 to reign as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the next five years. - Mkini