Ku Li: I’m always consistent, need for change must be constitutional
(Malay Mail Online) – Accused of being a turncoat, Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah maintained today he has always been consistent in his stand that institutional reforms must abide by the Federal Constitution.
In his first public remarks since Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s accusation, the Gua Musang MP said he has never swerved from his calls for reforms and that he has always placed the country’s interests above his own.
“I had been consistent in saying that change is a necessity for us. Without change in governance and the way we carry out our public responsibility, we will not solve the problems before us.
“I am confident that nobody can accuse me of inconsistency in my stand on governance, public responsibility and the need for change,” the Kelantan prince popularly known as Ku Li wrote on his Facebook page.
He added that the need for change has “intensified” as the country faces a leadership crisis that has also triggered crises to its economy due its sovereign debt pile and weakened ringgit value that has impacted regular Malaysians suffering increased living costs.
He added that he explored “all legitimate and legal avenues, including the role of the Dewan Rakyat” and came to the conclusion that whatever measures are taken, as a politician, he “must operate within the bounds of the Federal Constitution and my political party”.
“Therefore, the issue of being supportive of the government of the day, and by extension, to the head of the government does not arise,” he wrote.
The seasoned Umno lawmaker said he has repeatedly issued warnings of the dire consequences to the country if the government failed to manage its debts properly and soon.
However, he steered clear of mentioning any particular economic issue in his Facebook posting.
Instead, he reminded fellow politicians and MPs to “rise above personalities and party politics to address the changes that are essential.”
Former prime minister and rival Dr Mahathir had told a news conference in Putrajaya last Friday that Tengku Razaleigh was among several Umno leaders secretly seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak but switched camps after failing to secure support from other pivotal players.
Dr Mahathir further claimed to have met with other elected representatives from Sarawak under Tengku Razaleigh’s instructions to persuade them to support a no-confidence vote against the PM.
The 90-year-old former leader claimed Tengku Razaleigh subsequently changed his stance and rooted for Najib instead in a public display of loyalty to the PM.
Dr Mahathir has been in the forefront of a motley group of government critics campaigning for Najib to resign, blaming the prime minister for a slew of problems now slowing the economy.
Economists have said the pressures on Malaysia’s economy are largely due to the current low crude oil prices as well as setbacks due to trade with biggest partner China.
The country’s central bank has also warned that other issues notably government and household debts, coupled with property glut could cause an economic downturn in the next few years unless major remedial steps were taken.
Malaysia’s indebtedness now stands at 250 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product while household debt is at 89 per cent of the GDP.
