1. A constitutional coup de tat is happening before our eyes. The PM of the day wants the King to declare an Emergency. Or in his words a partial emergency, the real meaning only he knows. Maybe it's a Javanese term translated into English.
2. The unscrupulous way the PM uses to try to get it has attracted harsh opprobrium as it should. Lawyers are agitated.
The UMNO number 2 has said the Coronavirus pandemic must be handled with respect and deference to the Constitution and Democracy be allowed to function normally.
3. Nobody is going to be fooled into believing that the request for emergency is the COVID-19 pandemic. It's collateral. The real reason is an excuse to stay in power, avoid the motion of no confidence and prevent budget defeat.
4. It's a knee-jerk reaction of a closet dictator. Oh, what a beast that's unleashed from the Sheraton Move.
5. Can you imagine- he can spend as though it's his father's money without being accountable to anyone. Swollen face Muhyi suddenly experiences a bout of diarrhoea that he needs to declare his 'emergency'.
6. It's clear that COVID-19 is not the reason for the Emergency. It's the need to avoid the motion of no confidence.
7. It's imperative for Wak Muhyi to survive the motion. If he ceases to command majority support of MPs he and the entire cabinet must resign.
8. Obviously it also means he is not confident that the Agung will heed his advice to dissolve parliament. What a tangled web has he weaved.
9. Actually Muhyi has smeared charcoal on his Majesty's face. He assumes the king to be so gullible and dim to automatically accede to his request. The king can smell a rat. An elephant's carcass cannot be covered by a leaf
10. I used to think that Mahathir is the political chessboard player. Muhyiddin is really the enfant terrible. He's hitting below the belt. He's using the pandemic to hide the fact that he's losing the majority in parliament. He has only 113 seats.
11. An Emergency is needed to create political stability. That can be obtained if parliament were to be suspended and Muhyi be allowed to rule by fiat.
12. But the political instability is created by Muhyi in the first place because of his stubbornness in holding on to power by the thinnest of majority.
13. The boil should be removed surgically. Muhyi's government will not survive. It has run out of its usefulness.
14. Being told that such an important issue need to be referred first to the rulers' council is a clear indication that the request will likely be denied.
15. Oh, palliatives and face-saving statements will be issued- the rulers have the nominal confidence in Muhyi, the budget is important to fight the pandemic etc. But the most important thing is the request for Emergency will be refused.
16. MPs will be asked to behave responsibly and not to disturb the government of Dear Leader Abah. But that will not prevail. To more than 113 MPs to behave responsibly means to affirm democratic rule. Which is to give voice to the people.
17. You can be sure Muhyi is not going to be quiet too . Indeed, he's taking measures to circumvent the denial request.
18. He knows his days are numbered. If the no confidence motion is not allowed a Budget defeat wiil have the same result . He will have to tender in his resignation.
19. It's not as if the measures taken by the current government with regards to COVID-19 cannot be done and be done better than an in-coming government.
20. If it comes to that, let Muhyi cries alone. Don't cry together. Think of the mess and political instability he created. It gives a poignant tone to the saying 'you reap what you sow'.
21. If he becomes PM through some duplicity, he will likewise exit through some chicanery. I say that as a mater of factly. Nothing personal, it's just business. That's Karma for you.
22. If you don't like the word 'Karma' how about if God has willed a particular outcome, no one can stop it. Ya Allah Ya Rahman Ya Allah Ya Rahim.
23. It is evident that only the King can declare an Emergency not the administration of Abah. That's why he made a beeline to Kuantan. He emerged sullen face. Cant get everything at once even if you are PM.
24. If I remember correctly, the Agong can only declare an Emergency under article 150 of the Constitution. But only if the Emergency is grave. Grave to me, means very serious. Very threatening. Very dangerous etc.
25. Grave to the nation ya, not to the PM personally. A vote of no confidence and a possible budget defeat are not grave dangers to the nation and hardly qualify for an Emergency. It means that only this particular budget is defeated but a new one can be created by an incoming government.
26. As I understand it, to qualify as an Emergency one of 3 things must happen as a result of an event. An event must-
(a) threaten public security
(b) must threaten public order
(c) threaten economic life
27. Do we see the Moro Liberation Front armies invading our shores? The Thai army, Singapore Arm forces or the Indonesian Army? No. So no grounds of public security.
28. Do we see widespread riots in the steets? Do we have racial riots and reckless destruction of lives and property? No. Hence, strike 2
29. Do we see thousands of George Soroses and Mike Milkens descending upon Malaysia and sabotaging our economy? Do vindictive Indonesian and Bangladeshi labourers burning our oil palms? Do we see disgruntled persons destroying our oil fields? No! Strike 3 of 3.
30. There are therefore no justifiable reasons to declare an Emergency. Its just a smokescreen to hide the fact that Muhyi does not have a majority.
31. In another part, we shall examine the next steps to be taken by the actors in Muhyi's toilet emergency. At the time this article was written, the Agong has refused to declare an Emergency.
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