AMBIGA Sreenevasan has started a petition for the establishment of a unity government in order to ensure political stability at a time when the country is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The human rights lawyer started the petition on change.org yesterday and is looking to get 5,000 signatures.

As at 10.20am, 2,829 people have signed the petition. 

“A new prime minister will be sworn in again. The third, since the 14th general election.

“It is imperative that a strong and stable government is established for the remainder of the term until the next general election as Malaysians confront an unstable and uncertain future,” she wrote in the petition. 

Ambiga said the unity government must include representatives from all political parties and be subject to parliamentary oversight. 

“Its primary focus is to navigate the country out of this pandemic and political uncertainty.  More women ought to be appointed to this government.”

The lawyer said a unity government is the only way to ensure party-hopping and reduce the political toxicity that has been prevalent since last year. 

“The national unity government ought to be in place until the next general election, after which parties may freely contest the same in their respective parties with or against one another,” she said. 

Other demands in the petition are for the healthcare crisis to be handled by experts and professionals who can provide scientific advice based on the best available data, managing the economic crisis by addressing wages and social welfare issues and to ensure children can go back to school in a safe environment. 

The petition also demands for a stripped-down cabinet that follows the federal constitution and rule of law. 

The same idea was also mooted by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last year. 

He said a unity government that crosses political lines is the future for Malaysia, as the people have become increasingly frustrated and bored with political shenanigans in the midst of a global health crisis.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is set to consult the Malay Rulers today in the appointment of a new prime minister following the resignation of Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday. 

Muhyiddin resigned after losing his slim majority in Parliament last week following the withdrawal of support from 15 Umno lawmakers.

All lawmakers had then submitted statutory declarations on their choice for the top post to Istana Negara on Wednesday.

Yesterday, Agong met with 114 MPs from Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and four independents. 

Reports suggest that Umno vice president Ismail Sabri Yaakob has a slim majority support to be the new prime minister. – August 20, 2021.