Muhyiddin is the first Malaysian Prime Minister who can’t command a Parliament majority.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Iskandar Puteri, Lim Kit Siang has reiterated yesterday that Muhyiddin Yassin is the first Prime Minister in Malaysia who cannot command majority support in Parliament. Furthermore, this very reason is why the Legislative body of the government is suspended through an Emergency Proclamation, and not to combat the Covid-19 pandemic as the Perikatan Nasional (PN) claims it to be.

In a speech given by the DAP veteran in Skudai yesterday, Lim Kit Siang also lambasted Muhyiddin and his government for ignoring the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree stating that Parliament may convene during the emergency period. Lim asserted,

“Since the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had made his position clear on February 24,  the Cabinet had met six times but it had been most negligent in not once considering the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s advice.”

The Iskandar Puteri MP also expressed his disappointment towards the PN government for violating all constitutional properties and norms in ignoring the King’s advice since his majesty’s decree was made. In fact, Lim stressed that Muhyiddin and his Cabinet had acted in utter disregard of the Rukun Negara on ‘Loyalty to the King and Country’.

Moreover, considering the current political situation, the DAP veteran also believed that PN would not end on the 1st of August as previously announced by Muhyiddin but instead would be extended for them to stay in power. The 15th General Election (GE15) would also most probably not be held this year.

Lim Kit Siang then criticised the Prime Minister for enacting supplementary supply bills without Parliamentary scrutiny or check. The Iskandar Puteri was referring to the new emergency law introduced by PN on 31 March which allows the government to approve additional spending without approval from Parliament.

Lim slams such an undemocratic move and asserted,

“Muhyiddin is intoxicated with absolute power without parliamentary scrutiny or check, which is the reason for latest Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance conferring absolute powers on the Prime Minister to enact supplementary supply bills without parliamentary scrutiny or check,”

The DAP lawmaker thus agree with PKR President, Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that there is no reason for such an emergency ordinance to be introduced. Allowing for supplementary budgets to be approved without legislative scrutiny is the most unethical, irresponsible, undemocratic and dictatorial move a government could make.

Lim then questions why Muhyiddin didn’t advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to convene Parliament if valid additional spending is needed. Furthermore, Budget 2021 which was passed four months ago should be sufficient for Malaysia’s Covid-19 response.

The Iskandar Puteri MP commented,

“Any valid additional spending to combat the Covid-19 pandemic will get the unanimous support of Parliament, as all MPs from all political parties would like to see the Covid-19 pandemic ended as early as possible.”

It is shocking that Malaysians performed a political miracle in GE14 to reject a kleptocratic dictator only to be confronted 22 months later with a kakistocratic dictator.

Lim then bemoans the unprecedented political situation, with a three-kingdom scenario among Bersatu, PAS and UMNO which are clearly an illegitimate ‘backdoor government’ that are not pursuing the Malaysian Dream. The DAP veteran thus calls upon Malaysians to never yield to the temptation of ‘Power for Power’s sake’ but instead ensure all our actions are guided by our principles and commitment to:

• Pursue justice.
• Eliminate corruption.
• Uphold the rule of law and separation of power.
• Close the growing gap between the haves and have-nots.
• Improve the life of all Malaysians.

Only then, can the Malaysian Dream be realised. – The Rocket.