THE Pakatan Harapan presidential council today rejected the idea of setting up a National Operations Council (NOC) to govern the country while it continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proposal to set up the NOC came from former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his audience with Yang di-Pertuan Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah yesterday.

In a statement this morning, the presidential council said as a coalition that holds on to the principle of parliamentary democracy, Pakatan Harapan wants an end to the state of emergency and for Parliament to reconvene.

“The presidential council took note of Dr Mahathir’s proposal to create an NOC to solve the problems the country is facing at the moment, especially those related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“However, as a coalition that upholds the principles of parliamentary democracy, PH rejects the NOC proposal based on our consistent stand that the emergency should end immediately and Parliament should reopen now.

“The solution for the people’s problems in the Covid-19 issue, the economy, and even politics, is a well-functioning democracy, and the best place to listen to the voice of the people and find solutions, is in Parliament,” the coalition said.

The statement was signed by PKR president and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir spent about 45 minutes at Istana Negara in an audience with the king.

After their meeting, Dr Mahathir held a virtual press conference where he said he had proposed the setting up of a NOC to help manage issues faced by the nation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The chairman of yet-to-be registered Pejuang said the establishment of an NOC would allow for the same type of administration put in place after the 1969 race riots, which he said had then seen several policies put in place to stabilise and develop the nation.

“The king didn’t say ‘no’, but he said the proposal to set up NOC must come from the government.

“But I’m doubtful the government will propose this,” he said.

Dr Mahathir also said he had not discussed with the king who would lead the NOC but said he was ready “if the government wanted it”.

The NOC was an emergency administrative body established to restore law and order in Malaysia after the May 13, 1969, race riots.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s principal private secretary Marzuki Mohammad, in a video on social media, slammed those wanting the NOC.

He said such a proposal was a step backward, hampering the efforts of the government and all parties in addressing the crisis facing the country.

One-by-one, the king has been meeting with political leaders since Wednesday, starting with Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president.

Yesterday, besides Dr Mahathir, the king met PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, MCA president Wee Ka Siong and Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal. 

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is scheduled to meet the king today. – June 11, 2021.