The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the people’s last hope against an ill-conceived emergency proclamation, said Lim Guan Eng.
In a statement, the DAP secretary-general said any such declaration would be only to protect the prime minister who had lost the support of the MPs.
“Malaysians are shocked at Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s attempt to seek the king’s consent to an emergency proclamation on a spurious pretext of handling the escalating third wave of Covid-19 infections.”
“The king is our last hope to prevent an ill-conceived emergency that (will take place) at the expense of parliamentary democracy, national economy and rakyat,” Lim said.
The former finance minister questioned Muhyiddin’s emergency suggestion, asking if the Health Ministry had lost the control of the situation.
“Has the Health Ministry and our front-liners lost control of the situation until a national emergency is needed? Even our medical professionals have stated that the current measures such as the conditional movement control order are sufficient while helping to minimise the adverse impact on the livelihoods of the rakyat.”
Lim echoed an earlier statement from Amanah stating Muhyiddin no longer had the numbers in parliament.
“Clearly Muhyiddin has lost his majority in parliament and he has no confidence in winning the budget vote in parliament.
“Even Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa has admitted that the exercise of emergency powers is to avoid elections, indirectly conceding the ‘grand design’ is to protect the positions of those in power.
“If Muhyiddin is serious about wanting to overcome the Covid-19 crisis, he should resign over his ineptitude in not imposing a full home quarantine on those returning from Sabah following the state elections.
“Malaysians will appeal and pray for a decision that hears the voice of the ordinary people,” Lim said.
The palace today said the Conference of Malay Rulers would meet soon to decide on Muhyiddin’ proposal.
Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin did not reveal what was proposed by the cabinet members in yesterday’s meeting with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
It was reported yesterday that Muhyiddin hoped to convince the king to declare a state of emergency to contain the epidemic amid political instability. – TMI