Shafie: Fear of elections in Perak does not arise
(Bernama) PUTRAJAYA: Umno Vice-President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said today the main question now was not whether the Barisan Nasional (BN) was afraid to face possible elections in Perak where there is a political impasse.
Shafie, who is the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the matter was in the courts and the legal process should be allowed to take its course first.
"If the courts decide that the matter should be resolved in the legislative assembly, then the assembly should be used. If the courts determine that there should be a no-confidence vote, then that decision should be adhered to," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the Orang Asli Affairs Department and the Institute for Rural Advancement at his office, here.
Shafie said that if the demand for elections was entertained all the time, the administration of the country would suffer.
"If we hold elections often, can we fulfill the needs of society? What is important in Perak is for the state government to function, to operate smoothly without hindrance from other activities," he said.
Shafie was asked to comment on the many calls, including from Gerakan, for state elections to be held in Perak to end the political impasse.
He said that if the provisions stated that whoever had the majority could administer the state or country, that had to be so.
"We are not power-crazy. Don't tell me we do not want to rule when we have the majority. When we have the majority, why do they who do not have the majority want to administer?" he said.
If one was to give in to the minority seeking elections, then every state where the opposition was in the minority would demand the same, he said.
Meanwhile, MCA Vice-President Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the party was prepared to face any election, even in Perak.
"As a political party, our political work is ongoing. It's not because of any situation because we have been giving our service all the time. It's an ongoing process, and part and parcel of our job," the Perak MCA Liaison Committee chairman said here.
Asked for his stand on the political situation in Perak, he said: "I respect the decision of the courts. You have to respect the decision of the courts and let the legal and court procedure to proceed and see what is the outcome."
