Putrajaya’s decision to disallow any debate during the May 18 Parliament meeting reflects Perikatan Nasional’s anger over the no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin Yassin, said Mohamad Sabu.
“Clearly, this decision reflects not only the absence of wisdom and democracy in the current government, but it also shows the Perikatan government’s anger at the no-confidence motion on Muhyiddin’s leadership.
“If Parliament isn’t an open platform for us to show the effectiveness of the country’s democratic system, does that then mean that the streets will be the decisive platform after this?” he asked.
Mohamad or Mat Sabu as he is popularly known said Pakatan Harapan is not surprised over the decision and expects no debate after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s opening address in the one-day meeting.
“We already expected them to hide behind the ‘enough of politics’ excuse, even though it’s they themselves who are excited over conquering and dividing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Perikatan government is not just a ‘backdoor government’, it is also a ‘spineless government’,” he said.
Mohamad’s statement echoed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remarks.
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir said the decision to limit the one-day Parliament sitting to just the royal address is in breach of parliamentary rules and regulations.
He said it is also an attempt to stop him from raising questions about Muhyiddin’s legitimacy and popularity as prime minister.
The restriction imposed on the sitting is to stop him from tabling a no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin, he said.
In a letter addressed to all MPs yesterday, Dewan Rakyat secretary Riduan Rahmat said the prime minister has informed Parliament that the meeting on May 18 is purely restricted to the royal address.
Not even government matters on financing for Covid-19 mitigation packages are on the agenda, unlike the notice for the Dewan Rakyat secretary that was first issued on April 17.