No need for GE now, Pakatan reiterates support for Anwar as PM candidate

Photo courtesy of Anwar Ibrahim Facebook.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 – The country, which is fighting the Covid-19 crisis and its drastic economic, health and social consequences does not need a General Election now – it needs a stable and effective government led by a Prime Minister with the validation and majority support of the Members of Parliament, a statement issued by the Pakatan Harapan presidential council today said.

Signed by Parti Keadilan Rakyat President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara President Mohamad Sabu, and DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng, the statement said there was a need for MPs, currently not in support of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, to come together to look into forming an inclusive government, without having to hold a general election at this peak point of the pandemic.

“While there are 100 MPs who support Tan Sri Mahiaddin Md Yassin as Prime Minister, there are another 120 MPs who do not support, but he is still refusing to resign in accordance with the Article 43 (4) of the Federal Constitution.”

This prolonged constitutional crisis and political tussle in the country does not augur well and is a strain on the entire nation amid the rising number of Covid-19 positive cases, deaths from the virus as well as the high number of patients fighting for their lives in intensive care units, the Opposition leaders said.

“Everyday we are witnessing the death of hundreds of people due to COVID-19, the issue of job loss and income affecting the people.

“The people are hoping for political leaders who are capable of finding a way out of these problems and allow the capable leadership to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus and helm the economic recovery process for the country post-pandemic.

“The last term of the 14th Parliament will end only on July 16, 2023. With this in view, the Presidential Council is inviting all MPs opposing and rejecting Tan Sri Mahiaddin Md Yassin to jointly support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a Prime Minister candidate to show their support and form a new majority in Parliament.

“For the sake of the people and the country’s future, all parties opposing Muhyiddin, need to be together at the negotiating table now and form a government that is inclusive, fair and progressive where each party is treated fairly.”

It is very important that all parties can unite under a government that is people-centric and capable of correcting all mistakes and discuss ahead of the vote of confidence for the Prime Minister. Any takeover of government can happen only when all the parties are in agreement with the principles and the changes sought for including institutional reforms, good governance and an independent judiciary.

–WE