'Emergency' will cause descent into dictatorship - Anwar
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has criticised Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) state of emergency plans, advising Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin against resorting to such “undemocratic” and “authoritarian” means.
Anwar lambasted PN for using the Covid-19 pandemic to “justify” its actions...
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has criticised Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) state of emergency plans, advising Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin against resorting to such “undemocratic” and “authoritarian” means.
Anwar lambasted PN for using the Covid-19 pandemic to “justify” its actions.
“Today, we have a government which lacks legitimacy and which knows it would fail to demonstrate majority support in Parliament and is using the Covid-19 crisis as an excuse to justify its abuse of power.
“A state of emergency is declared when there is a threat to our national security. But when the government is itself the source of that threat then a state of emergency is nothing more than the descent into dictatorship and authoritarianism,” Anwar said in a statement today.
“The government has failed to provide strong leadership in handling this crisis and is instead resorting to undemocratic means to stay in power,” he added.
After news broke this afternoon about PN’s plans, Pakatan Harapan MPs came out in force to oppose the move as existing laws like the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 was sufficient to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
A state of emergency typically suspends the Federal Constitution and could lead to the Parliament being prorogued.
This way, Muhyiddin could avoid putting Budget 2021 to a vote or facing a no-confidence vote himself in the upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting.
The House next sits from Nov 2 to Dec 15.
The prime minister has been facing both internal and external political pressure ever since Anwar announced he was trying to oust the PN government.
In light of Muhyiddin’s impending announcement, the Port Dickson MP advised the Bersatu president against making decisions out of “self-interest”.
“I strongly advise Muhyiddin to consider the legacy of these actions (that) he is taking out of self-interest and selfishness,” he said.
After chairing a special cabinet meeting this morning, the PM along with Defence Force chief Affendi Buang reportedly sought an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Kuantan, Pahang this afternoon.
According to the Constitution, only the King can declare a state of emergency.
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