Opposition parties, MPs reject PM's offer and want him to resign
Opposition parties PKR and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) are not accepting offers made by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today, said top party leaders.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil and Pejuang deputy president Marzuki Yahya both said that Muhyiddin is in no position to make such offers...
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin earlier this evening made a rather generous offer to consolidate support from MPs from across the divide for his premiership.
However, most opposition parties and MPs who have responded to the announcement so far seemed to be unmoved by the offer, which has been regarded as a last-ditch attempt at saving Muhyiddin's position.
They include big players such as PKR, Amanah and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) whose leaders have openly said that they would not accept Muhyiddin's olive branch, and called for him to step down.
Fahmi Fadzil, PKR communications director:
I was really taken aback when a prime minister openly admitted that he has lost his majority during a live telecast.
The matter of making an offer or any other thing does not arise anymore. What needs to be done now is to follow the Federal Constitution, which Article 43(4) stated that when a prime minister loses his majority, then there are only two options - either he resigns, or he advises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament.
What Muhyiddin tried to do this evening was opting for a third choice, which is unconstitutional.
And secondly, borrowing what Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker had said, this is a dollar short a day late. It is already too late for him.
Muhyiddin is desperate, and he is also in no position to make all these offers, which were already our ideas.
On the issue of Undi18, we passed that in 2019. It was his administration that delayed the execution. And so is the proposal to limit a prime minister to only two terms, it's our idea. It stopped because of the Sheraton Move, of which he is the prime beneficiary.
So, he has the gall to offer us so-called scraps. To me, fundamentally from the point of view of the Constitution, this could be ultra vires, beyond his powers, whatever he has (left).
I don't think he is in a position to make any offers or to remain as prime minister. I think he has to tender his resignation tonight.
Mukhriz Mahathir, Pejuang president:
Where in the Federal Constitution does it say that a prime minister who has lost the majority cannot resign until another MP with a majority is identified? Article 43(4) states a prime minister who ceases to have the confidence of a majority of MPs shall tender the resignation of the cabinet.
Did Muhyiddin just gaslight us just now? Did I hear him offer us a bribe to support him and his minority government? Did he offer to stay on as prime minister and will remain incumbent prime minister when the 15th general election happens in July 2022? Are we stupid or what?
Anti-party hopping law? Hello! Your government exists due to those 'frogs' including you Muhyiddin! Undi18? It’s already gotten two-thirds votes in Parliament. Just execute it.
While Muhyiddin claims he rejects kleptocracy, he offers money to opposition MPs in exchange for support. If this isn’t hypocrisy, I don’t know what is.
Muhyiddin’s rhetoric sounds like he’s denying Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s right to appoint as prime minister an MP who in his judgement is likely to command the confidence of the majority of MPs.
Marzuki Yahya, Pejuang deputy president:
Pejuang stands with our decision and we will not accept any kind of offer. The most important thing now is that we see him as a prime minister who no longer has the support from the majority.
He does not even have to prove it. Because he really does not have the support anymore. So, what he should do now is step down as prime minister.
Muhyiddin is also not in the position to determine whether the opposition parties have the majority to appoint a new premier. That is under the purview of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
We will not consider his offer. He is only doing this now because he is losing, and trying to openly offer bribes to all MPs.
This is what is called the 'scheme of things'.
Maszlee Malik, Simpang Renggam MP
I stand with Pakatan Harapan in strongly rejecting Muhyiddin's offer because it legitimises using money politics to remain in power.
Strangely, he has proposed several reform agendas whereas the most important political reform is to eradicate money politics. The focus should be given to saving the people rather than his political career.
Based on the national education situation after PN has been in power for more than a year, I'm concern that if they are allowed to continue to rule, the education of children and higher education students will continue to worsen.
To save our education and the future of our children, I choose not to give any more chances for this failed government to remain in power and damage the education sector.
Hannah Yeoh, DAP, Segambut MP:
My biggest problem with PN is the incompetency of their cabinet ministers that has led Malaysia to where we are today.
Today's speech does not address that incompetency and changes nothing in helping Malaysia out of the current mess.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), Muar MP:
Only when he is on the verge of losing his power and position that he calls the opposition to have a sit-down.
The prime minister's special address today was full of hypocrisy and tricks. All this was only an attempt to stay one day longer than he deserves, after losing his majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Only now has it come to his senses to give equal allocation to opposition MPs. For almost two years the opposition MPs were denied a fair allocation amount by the PN government. Has the prime minister forgotten how the opposition appealed to him to give us an equal budget?
Now he has come to the extent of making all sorts of offers just to stay in power, the power he already lost.
It is time for Muhyiddin to do the honourable, which is to step down.
Please resign immediately.
Chan Foong Hin, DAP, Kota Kinabalu MP:
Dear outgoing prime minister, thanks for your input on those reforms the country deserves.
You recognise PN has lost the majority of MPs today albeit you lied when you declared you still had the support during an audience with the Agong last week.
If Pakatan Harapan is part of the new government, rest assured we will implement the above-mentioned reforms better than you!
Times up. Please step down.
Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus, Amanah, Hulu Langat MP:
When Muhyiddin said no one has the majority, he has admitted that he no longer commands the majority of support. He confirmed that he has lost the confidence of MPs.
The business of proving who has the majority and is fit to become the prime minister is secondary now. It is ongoing and of course, involves the palace.
All these offers were part of what we have been asking for since the beginning. But he ignored us all this while. And after he failed to manage this country, is it fair for us to join them so that they can protect their position?
We are not frogs that they can buy, like some of their friends. We have principles and dignity.
We want to help this country recover, and bring changes to help save the rakyat who have been suffering.
Warisan, PSB, Upko, Muda:
We strongly reject the political offer made by Muhyiddin.
Since last year, opposition parties have proposed to stabilise the government through a confidence and supply agreement.
Although Muhyiddin became prime minister and formed a government through the back door, we were ready to compromise for the people's welfare.
However, Muhyiddin had arrogantly turned down the opposition's offer.
The parties also reiterated calls for Muhyiddin's resignation, pointing out the hypocrisy of offering reforms such as the anti-party hopping law, when PN was formed through defections.
The joint statement was signed by Warisan president Shafie Apdal, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed, Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau and PSB's Baru Bian.
Parti Bersatu Sabah president Maximus Ongkili:
Given the uncertain political scenario, whichever side one takes, this is a rare opportunity to work together and set aside political differences, living up to the 'rakyat first' slogan.
The more urgent task is to win the battle against Covid-19, save lives and achieve economic recovery.
It is not the time to quarrel and fight over who should be prime minister. We can solve that problem by going for a general election.
But this is not the time for an election. The rakyat deserves better service from the government rather than being pushed to go to the polls during such a tragic time as this.
The seven proposals for stability and cooperation by the prime minister should be considered positively by all parties. It is an opportunity for inter-party cooperation and to work hand-in-hand to put this country back on a firm footing on the road to health and economic recovery.
I call on my colleagues in the opposition to seize this opportunity to put the country's needs and priorities for economic and political stability, and together, take this country forward as our commitment of solidarity.
Amiruddin Hamzah, Pejuang, Kubang Pasu MP:
Thank you Muhyiddin Yassin, next!
What kind of a prime minister is this, openly giving his 'scheme of things' offer to politicians? Shame!
Amir Abd Hadi, Muda secretary-general
Muda takes it that the offer made was only a trick to get an extension of time when they are on the verge of a collapse. All these offers could have been made a long time ago, not now when they already lost the majority.
There was nothing stopping them, for example, to implement Undi18 which was passed not only with a two-thirds majority but also received full support from MPs.
Damage has been done by the PN government, including expenditures that were not tabled and debated in Parliament. Parliament was closed, they failed to manage the pandemic and there's the 'scheme of things' they did to buy over support.
Today, almost every day the rakyat are getting arrested and investigated for voicing out their views, because of the pressure by a failed government.
The statement by Muhyiddin that no bloc has the majority is nonsense. The majority needs to be proven through a vote of no confidence which must be done as soon as possible in Parliament, and not only through a mere statement by him.
Resign now.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.