PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should just resign instead of trying to call an emergency, said PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

Imposing a state of emergency to avoid a test of confidence in Parliament is irresponsible, the Hang Tuah MP added.

“If holding an election is not an option during the Covid-19 pandemic, then Muhyiddin must resign.

“He does not need to declare an emergency to save Malaysia from a volatile political situation.

“He should use the solutions available in the federal constitution, which is to resign after losing the majority in the Dewan Rakyat.”

Shamsul said it was not impossible to hold a change in government during the pandemic, saying February’s ouster of Pakatan Harapan and replacement by Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional had happened when the number of Covid-19 cases were already beginning to rise.

He said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had also told Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah that he had the numbers to form a new government and be prime minister.

On Friday, after a special cabinet meeting, Muhyiddin presented the Agong with the government’s proposal for an emergency, purportedly to address to Covid-19 crisis.

However, he is also due to face a potential vote of no confidence when Parliament convenes next week when Budget 2021 is supposed to be tabled.

Critics charge the prime minister with wanting to avoid such a scenario and hold on to power by calling an emergency, which would see Parliament suspended.

The king and the Conference of Malay Rulers are meeting this afternoon to discuss the government’s proposal. – October 25, 2020.