The reason for the ceasefire between Umno and PPBM
Yes, Mahathir had already warned the country back in November 1999 that an unstable and weak government will put the lives of Malaysians at great risk. “May 13” is going to be nothing compared to what will come. Hence stability must be put above personal interest and the quest for power. And this is why Zahid declared a ceasefire, even if just for the meantime.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Anwar Ibrahim requested an audience with His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong so that he can prove to His Majesty that he had 120 Members of Parliament who support him to take over as Prime Minister.
Anwar was hoping His Majesty would sack Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and swear him (Anwar) in as PM9. That did not happen because there is no Article in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia to provide for that.
In fact, His Majesty did not even bother to summon those 120 MPs who are alleged to be supporting Anwar to Istana Negara because, even if it is true that they support Anwar, so what? There is nothing His Majesty can do about it. His Majesty cannot sack Muhyiddin and replace him with Anwar even if Muhyiddin has lost his majority in Parliament, if that was what Anwar was thinking.
Hungry Russian soldiers not paid for six months took to the streets in protest
Anwar said the 120 MPs with him (121 if including himself) include MPs from Umno, PAS and East Malaysia, some Ministers included. In another statement, he said it is 131 MPs and later he said it can increase to 158 MPs once he gets sworn in as PM9.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP said they will never work with “those in Umno facing court cases”. They suspected that Anwar had made a deal to give these Umno MPs facing court cases a “get out of jail card” for their support to oust Muhyiddin. And, of course, the prime suspects were Najib Tun Razak and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
This suspicion was strengthened not long after that when it was revealed that Najib and Zahid had sent a letter to His Majesty expressing support for Anwar to take over as PM9. It appeared like Muhyiddin was doomed — but still His Majesty did nothing, as, according to the Constitution, he had no power to do anything.
So now the only way Anwar can oust Muhyiddin is through a vote of no confidence in Parliament. And for that he does not need 112 MPs. He just needs the majority of the MPs who happen to be in Parliament at that particular time and date when the motion of no confidence is tabled.
Zahid has to call for a ceasefire to prevent this from happening again
If Anwar cannot get his motion of no confidence in through the frontdoor, then he can use the backdoor, which is to defeat the Budget Bill or Budget 2021. That would definitely mean the government will fall because on 1st January 2021 the government cannot pay its bills and salaries.
This happened in Russia in 1905, which led to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the abolishing of the monarchy. The Russian government could not pay the salaries of the civil servants and military, and after six months of no pay, the hungry soldiers took to the streets in protest. This led to riots and triggered the birth of the revolution that saw the execution of the Czar and his entire family.
If, on 1st January 2021, the government stops paying its bills and salaries, compounded by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, by Chinese New Year Malaysia will burn. An emergency would need to be declared, Parliament would need to be suspended, martial law would be imposed, democracy and civil liberties would also need to be suspended, and the military would have to take over with Muhyiddin as the caretaker Prime Minister until Parliament can be restored.
Political stability needs to be restored to prevent Malaysia from burning
The civil unrest resulting from this vote of no confidence is frightening. “May 13” would be a children’s birthday party by comparison. Lives and property would be lost and the economy would be ruined. It is not going to be a simple matter of Muhyiddin resigning to make way for Anwar Ibrahim. And because of the lockdown, there is no way Malaysians can run off to neighbouring countries for safety.
This matter is so serious that Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was forced to issue a statement calling for a ceasefire. To continue with this bickering would only mean the safety of Malaysians is being put at risk. And, as Mahathir said back in November 1999, an unstable government means the government will be very weak and a weak government will not be able to protect the safety and security of its citizens.
Yes, Mahathir had already warned the country back in November 1999 that an unstable and weak government will put the lives of Malaysians at great risk. “May 13” is going to be nothing compared to what will come. Hence stability must be put above personal interest and the quest for power. And this is why Zahid declared a ceasefire, even if just for the meantime.
