KUCHING (Aug 14. 2021) - A political scientist has described the offer extended by the prime minister to the Opposition to work with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government as a sign of a skillful politician who is well-advised to take a course of action in order to defuse a potential political crisis and his political predicament.
Political scientist Professor Dr Jayum anak Jawan from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said the timing of the offer announced by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin “is a well calculated step to avert a potential showdown that may lead to an adverse consequence.”
“In that regard, the PM can be considered a skillful tactician,” he said when asked if the timing was suspicious ahead of the tabling of the confidence motion that Muhyiddin is expected to table in Parliament next month.
Asked if the prime minister is trying to hang onto power, Jayum said the game in politics is to gain and hang on to power for as long as one can.
“Otherwise, get out of politics and do something else. As a political scientist, I would be very disappointed if the PM simply gave up at the first sign of dissent towards his leadership,” he stressed.
He also said that the offer is a deadly bait to the Opposition, adding “ditelan mati emak, diluah mati bapak.”
“Take it, the opposition will head towards collapse. Don’t take it, the opposition will also suffer consequences,” he said.
Jayum said the voters are tired of too intense politicking when the problem posed by Covid19 pandemic is taking toll on the people.
Senior Fellow with the National Professors Council (NPC) Dr Jeniri Amir questioned the motive of extending the offer to the Opposition.
He said he does not deny the fact that the prime minister is sincere, but there is an element of the motive here.
“You cannot deny that somebody is in a desperate position. I think the offer is because of position. I think Anwar knows that,” he said, referring to PKR president and Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Jeniri also believes that Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders are aware of the motive behind the offer and have rejected it outright.
He said there is no reason for PH to accept the offer when their main agenda is to take over the federal government.
“Of course, if you are in a strong position you won’t make this kind of offer. Why only now? It is too little, too late,” he added.
Jeniri said the proposed reforms announced by Muhyiddin are good, but it is too little, too late.
He said there is no reason for PH to accept the offer when their main agenda is to take over the federal government.
“Anwar, in particular, wants to be the prime minister. Why do you want to be an opposition leader, given a post equivalent to a senior minister when you can become the prime minister?” he asked.
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said Muhyiddin is coming up with the proposals to PH in the hope of clinging to power instead of formulating policies to address the problems faced by the people daily.
He said it is clear that the PN government is putting the interest of holding on to power above the interest of the people.
“With such a selfish and incompetent government, how can one expect a responsible Opposition to give it the lifeline to continue its destruction of people’s lives and country’s economy?” Chong asked.
He said the prime minister should understand that the reason underlying the calls for his resignation is his and cabinet’s failure to properly manage the Covid-19 pandemic, causing 1,342,215 Covid-19 cases and 11,691 deaths to-date and ruin to the country’s economy.
He said the people have totally given up any hope that the PN federal government can save the country and the people.
“That is why most Malaysians now want a new prime minister and a new cabinet to run this country,” he said, adding that the most important agenda for the country now is to properly manage the Covid-19 pandemic, to reduce the infection rate and the death cases and to revive the country’s economy.
“Therefore, the most urgent thing to do now is to replace the present prime minister and cabinet with those who are able to properly manage the current crisis,” Chong said.
n a special address yesterday, Muhyiddin expressed his willingness to work with parties outside of PN following a scheduled vote of confidence in Parliament.
He had said after the confidence vote is done, there will be a more stable and inclusive government that recognises bipartisan input in managing the pandemic.
He also said he will also present in Parliament a Supply Bill to limit the prime minister’s term.
He said all Bills including the Supply Bill that are to be tabled in Parliament will only be done after negotiations with all the MPs.
He also insisted that not a single MP can prove they had the majority support to be able to present themselves to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint them as the new prime minister.
He urged all MPs to discuss his proposals next week
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