Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

THE letter that was reportedly written by the longest-serving parliamentarian Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah on September 25, urging Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun to allow a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to be debated, made its swift rounds on social media.

Similarly, Azhar’s reply, citing the standing orders that apparently put a heavy priority on government matters over other matters, trended on social media.

In a lengthy explanation later, Azhar insisted that a speaker is not empowered to hasten such a motion until and unless the government consents to it, which, going by past practices, it is not likely that it will see the light of day.

Obviously, these exchanges have triggered interests, curiosity and concern among Malaysians whose lives have been affected, directly or otherwise, ever since the so-called “Sheraton move” that eventually toppled the Pakatan Harapan government last February.

The political climate of the country has never been so uncertain, while some people are already experiencing political fatigue.

Ku Li, as the Umno stalwart is affectionately known, wrote the letter on the heels of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s public declaration on September 23 that he had secured “strong, formidable and convincing” support from more than 120 MPs, indicating that he was ready to take over the reins of power from Muhyiddin.

This has become a hot-button issue for many Malaysians because the political legitimacy of the government has been put into question.

It appears that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong felt concerned enough about Anwar’s declaration to summon Ku Li for consultation after meeting Anwar a few hours earlier.

This is apart from the reported invitations to leaders of political parties, DAP’s Lim Guan Eng, Amanah’s Mohamed Sabu and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of Umno, to the Istana Negara in the foreseeable future

The stakes were raised recently when Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said about 30 Umno MPs and some independents had chosen to throw their weight behind Anwar.

As if this political cloudiness is not enough, the plot thickens with rumour of Ku Li himself aiming to wrest the post from Muhyiddin.

Such is the haziness that has engulfed many Malaysians that it warrants a concrete step from the government to clear the air.

One way, and an honourable and democratic one at that, is for the Perikatan Nasional government to allow for a motion of no-confidence to take place in the Dewan Rakyat as soon as possible.

The political legitimacy of the government must be established in a transparent manner for the benefit of the entire nation.

As a nation, we can no longer afford to be waylaid by political shenanigans and endless Machiavellian acts.

There is so much work to be done in a country that has been besieged by the scourge of the Covid-19 virus. We must stay focused on placing concrete and effective measures to save lives amid the pandemic.

The economy, after being battered by the pandemic, needs to be resuscitated as some businesses have gone bust, unemployment has spiked, and poverty rate escalated.

It is high time for the nation to rise above all this human misdemeanour so that it can walk with its head held high among the community of nations.

Ordinary Malaysians would like our nation to take this path. – October 16, 2020.