DR Mahathir Mohamad said today that he had written a letter to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to intervene and solve the problems faced by the people.

The former prime minister hopes the Agong will look into the issue favourably.

“We believe the King is the protector and the umbrella of the rakyat. So, when the people are disappointed because they are not getting any support from the government, they look up to the King to solve their problems.

“If not the King and the government, then who else?” he said during an online press conference with Pejuang members.

However, Dr Mahathir said he had yet to receive a reply from Istana Negara.

“We still haven’t received an answer or invitation to meet with us.”

The Langkawi MP was commenting on calls by the opposition to end the state of emergency, and for proper handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Mahathir said the government declared a state of emergency to address the pandemic but now the numbers of cases and deaths have spiked. 

“The cases have spiked from 2,000 to more than 9,000. Today there were 8,209 cases.

“Yesterday, the deaths had increased to 126. It is clear that the emergency can’t curb the pandemic.”

He said that the emergency gives sole power to Prime Minister Muhiyiddin Yassin.

“Even if Dewan Rakyat sits, the decision for Muhyiddin to step down won’t be discussed.

“A lot of people have asked for Muhyiddin to step down but he doesn’t care.

“So, we are in a situation where the government is worse than a dictatorship. They make whatever decisions, but people are still suffering.” – June 3, 2021.