Can't fault those attracted by reform offers but can't trust Muhyiddin - Guan Eng
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said those who are attracted by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's offer of concessions cannot be faulted for wanting institutional reforms.
At the same time, Lim said Muhyiddin's track record also raises doubt on whether he will follow through with his promises.
"For those initially attracted by...
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said those who are attracted by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's offer of concessions cannot be faulted for wanting institutional reforms.
At the same time, Lim (above) said Muhyiddin's track record also raises doubt on whether he will follow through with his promises.
"For those initially attracted by the promised reforms, they cannot be faulted for relying on the common refrain of 'the end justifies the means', regardless of who initiates them.
"They are not wrong in their idealistic pursuit of institutional reforms. However, we are dealing with a prime minister who has a history of doing the opposite where 'the end justifies the means', in this case, it's to remain as prime minister at all cost," he said in a statement.
Some DAP lawmakers including Damansara MP Tony Pua and Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming have urged the opposition to consider Muhyiddin's offer but the leadership had decided to reject them.
Muhyiddin, in an attempt to rebuild his collapsed majority, had among others, offered to implement long-time reforms advocated by the opposition including a term limit for the prime minister, anti-hopping laws and a more inclusive composition of parliamentary select committees.
However, Lim said institutional reform is not political expediency and can only be done with a genuine commitment and sacrifice.
"Based on the prime minister’s record of political treachery and the composition of his conservative cabinet that is consistently opposed to reforms of any kind, there is genuine scepticism whether he will deliver his promised reforms when it is clearly a gambit for power or stratagem for survival," he said.
Lim added that while many expect Muhyiddin to resign, DAP is not supportive of a general election during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"DAP is clear on our choice of who should be the next prime minister in accordance with Pakatan Harapan mandate.
"No one person is entitled to be prime minister but qualification must be based on potential capability and capacity to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, economic recession and commitment to institutional reforms to normalise Malaysia as an emerging developed nation," he said.
DAP wants opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as Harapan's prime ministerial candidate but it is still unclear if he can muster the necessary numbers in the Dewan Rakyat.
Muhyiddin's lifeline
Meanwhile, a group of NGOs described Muhyiddin's offer as an attempt to cling to power under the guise of institutional reforms.
"Muhyiddin’s so-called seven reform proposals to move closer to cross-party cooperation should not be used as a lifeline to preserve the Perikatan Nasional (PN) regime, by adhering to the principle of putting the people first," they said.
They added that Muhyiddin should comply with the provisions of the Federal Constitution and undergo a confidence vote.
"Since our country's independence, there has not been a precedent in which the incumbent prime minister was ousted by a vote of no-confidence.
"We would like to remind opposition parties that they should not hastily accept any conditions imposed by the prime minister when the PN regime is in danger.
"They should instead establish a constitutional precedent during this political crisis, by urging the prime minister who has lost the majority of support to resign immediately or insist on respecting the Federal Constitution and accept the parliamentary motion of no confidence," they said.
The joint statement was inked by among others, the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) and Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram).
They said Muhyiddin's test of confidence should happen by next week instead of next month and if it is proven that he has lost his majority, he should immediately step down.
Meanwhile, the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) welcomed Muhyiddin's offer which it described as a political moratorium.
DPMM president Abdul Halim Husin said it was the best way to set aside the political conflict while the economy was suffering during the pandemic.
During this ceasefire period, Halim said all efforts must be on restoring the healthcare system and economy.
"Our hope is with a political moratorium agreement, the prime minister, who has used all of his lifelines to remain in government, will fulfil his promise and return the mandate to the people to elect a new government by July next year," he added.
Muhyiddin summons PN party chiefs after opposition rejects offer
