The two elderly statesmen have agreed to join forces to save the nation from adverse politicking.
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in a joint press conference with Umno’s Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, said there is a possibility that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s government may fall tomorrow.
In the event that happens, Dr Mahathir urged MPs to think of the common good instead of themselves.
The advice came ahead of the last two committee stage votes for Budget 2021 in the Dewan Rakyat, followed by the final vote at the third reading tomorrow.
“There is a possibility that tomorrow when they vote for the third reading of the budget, there is a possibility that the government might lose.
“If the government loses, I hope that those who are in Parliament will begin to think not about themselves but about the nation.
“We need a government that is not motivated but what we get but what we can contribute to the country,” he said.
Tengku Razaleigh has said he won’t participate in tomorrow’s vote, despite believing that Muhyiddin’s government is illegitimate.
He maintained that he would continue to protest the Dewan Rakyat proceedings after the House speaker refused to allow a formal motion to test Muhyiddin’s confidence.
The old foes expressed their readiness to facilitate a new unity government if the current government fails to pass the Budget 2021 vote tomorrow.
The former political rivals urged MPs to vote based on their conscience tomorrow.
Both senior statesmen offered their expertise and experiences in public service to the possible new government.
The duo lamented the current political instability, which they claimed is exacerbating a sluggish economy already affected by the very trying Covid-19 global pandemic, which they said can be resolved by forming a “good government” that prioritise the needs of the public first.
The two have invited other Members of Parliament to put aside their party and personal loyalties to join them in making Malaysia an economic powerhouse once again.
Dr Mahathir added that many Malaysians have sought guidance from him and Tengku Razaleigh to save the nation from economic downfall and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There are a lot of friends and professionals who have sought us out and asked us what we could do. We hope to get the support to implement our ideas.
“We want to serve the nation and help the progress of the people,” Dr Mahathir said.
They were, however, non-committal as to who among them would be the prime ministerial candidate for the new unity government, if it comes to that.
They also said that Muhyiddin’s government was hanging by a very slim majority and that such a situation was not good for investor confidence.
On Oct 29, Dr Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh – who was finance minister from 1976-1984 – allegedly met to discuss a “unity government”.
At that time, Dr Mahathir brushed off talk of joining forces with Tengku Razaleigh alone, saying that he had met other party leaders as well.
Since the formation of Perikatan, the two senior politicians have repeatedly criticised Muhyiddin Yassin for taking over the government.
If Tengku Razaleigh moves away from Umno, this would not be the first time – in 1988, he formed a breakaway party called Semangat 46 after a falling out with Dr Mahathir, who was then premier and Umno president.
The opposition, based on the votes today, do not yet have enough numbers to defeat the budget, which acts as a proxy confidence vote on Muhyiddin.
Opposition leaders, including PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, have been lobbying government MPs, particularly from Umno to defect.
While there have been signs of MPs considering doing so, they have yet to show their hand.
However, tomorrow will be their last chance to show their hand in the Dewan Rakyat.