Even by Malaysian standards, last week was nothing but comedy court for local politics, with the prime minister casting himself as lead actor. His initial refusal to accept Zaid Ibrahim’s resignation revealed a shocking ignorance on the convention of collective cabinet responsibility which requires a minister whose views are at variance with the official government position to resign. There is no question of such a minister taking leave to rest, as suggested by the prime minister.
Then, there is the refusal on the part of the prime minister to convene an emergency session of Parliament to ascertain if he still commands the confidence of the majority of members. Instead, he has been imploring Anwar Ibrahim to disclose to the public the names of the MPs who have agreed to cross over.
Whilst one can appreciate that the prime minister is no constitutional expert, even he must realise that the Federal Constitution requires that the confidence in a prime minister be tested in Parliament and not through the media.
In refusing to convene Parliament despite the leader of the opposition claiming that he has sufficient MPs aligned to him, serious questions as to the moral legitimacy of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi remaining as prime minister are likely to be raised.
The prime minister’s refusal to test his support in Parliament is likely to lead to even his staunchest supporters concluding the obvious.
As a finale to the week’s comic relief, the prime minister alleges that Anwar is a threat to the national economy. We must be the only country in the world where the call for greater transparency, democratic reform, government accountability and a truly independent judiciary is regarded as threatening the national economy.
One would have thought that the sluggish economy was a result of indecisive leadership, an uninspiring and inflationary budget, rounded up by a complete inability to handle a growing loss of confidence in the prime minister from within his own party.
And what are the chances of investor confidence being buoyed by the arrest of a citizen under preventative detention laws, purportedly for her own protection, and an elected MP for being a threat to national security over her views on road signage.
Malaysians deserve serious people to run this country. Otherwise, we shall continue to be the comedy stage of the world.
No. 48, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar Utama 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-2284 3367 (Advertising/Tech/Subscription) | 03-2283 5567 (Editorial) Malaysiakini.com is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
