UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi took a swipe at Muhyiddin Yassin after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong rejected his advice to declare emergency rule to fight the Covid-19 pandemic earlier today.

Zahid, in a statement, said any major decision by the government needs proper deliberation and consensual involvement of all parties.

“This episode clearly teaches us that implementation of any major steps that is to be taken by the government requires a process of deliberation and consensus of all parties,” the former deputy prime minister said.

“Therefore, it is appropriate to start a national reconciliation initiative that includes political, economic, social and security agenda.”

The Bagan Datuk MP added the public should be the priority at such critical times and political leaders must find the right balance between managing the Covid-19 epidemic and the economic life of the people.

“The people need to be the priority at this time. Hard work must be embodied in finding a balance between managing the Covid-19 epidemic and the economic life of the people.

“I urge the political leadership to be truly sincere in achieving this goal,” Zahid said.

Muhyiddin’s cabinet last Friday agreed to request the king for a proclamation of emergency, ostensibly to fight the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country which has seen cases surpass the 25,000 mark and more than 200 deaths.

The Conference of Rulers yesterday decided there was no necessity for emergency rule at the moment as the government was doing a good job in handling the pandemic.

Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said after discussing the request with the Conference of Rulers, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was of the view the federal government’s measures to fight the pandemic have been effective.

Zahid said by taking the king’s advice, political party leaders should close ranks at all levels and further focus on tackling the spread of the Covid-19 for the welfare of the people. – October 25, 2020.