Zahid proposes special bill to keep govt until end of term

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed a special bill to prevent the government from being overthrown in the middle of a Parliament term.

This is to prevent past situations from recurring, he said.

“I recommend that a bill be tabled to mandate a government remain until the end of the term if it is formed by a dominant political party or a combination of dominant parties and has the Agong’s consent.

“Otherwise, we will experience the same thing as before, and that is not good for the country and its people,” he said during a press conference at a Rural and Regional Development Ministry retreat in Kuala Lumpur today.

The BN chairperson was believed to be referring to the Sheraton Move in 2020.

It was also unclear if Zahid was proposing a Fixed-Term Parliaments Act model as employed in the United Kingdom.

The Umno president’s comments come after an alleged move by the opposition to topple the present administration.

Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin denied any attempts to overthrow the government but pointed out that the Federal Constitution would allow for it.

“The Federal Constitution allows a government to be formed either through an election or outside of an election when the prime minister resigns for any reason.

“This constitutional provision must be followed in determining any formation or change of government,” said the former prime minister.

Meanwhile, Zahid said today that the public should not be victims of political manipulation and maneuvering.

“Politics is very pragmatic and dynamic, we should be practical in this case for the sake of the country.

“We can play politics or have different opinions but we should never make use of the public as test subjects for the sake of political lust,” he said.

Zahid added that he had no knowledge about an alleged bribe offered by the opposition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to unseat the government.

“I have no additional information, I only read the prime minister's statement through the media,” he said.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary Azman Abidin has urged the police to investigate allegations that some parties are willing to provide funds of up to RM1 billion to topple the government as part of the Dubai Move. - Mkini