MEDIA STATEMENT
23 October 2020
I am deeply concerned about reports that the government is seeking to implement emergency measures to curb the parliamentary process. Today, we have a government which lacks legitimacy and which knows it would fail to demonstrate majority support in parliament and is using the Covid-19 crisis as an excuse to justify its abuse of power.
A state of emergency is declared when there is a threat to our national security. But when the government is itself the source of that threat then a state of emergency is nothing more than the descent into dictatorship and authoritarianism. I strongly advise Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to consider the legacy of these actions he is taking out of self-interest and selfishness.
By seeking emergency powers the illegitimate PN government reveals its sheer incompetence in handling Covid-19 health and economic crisis. While the rest of Asia is looking for ways to manage the virus and reopen their economies safely, Malaysia is heading in the opposite direction.
We have yet to see a solid strategy to handle the crisis and on the back of growing criticism, the government thinks a receding democratic power is the best strategy. In fact, to overcome Covid-19 what we need is transparency, accountability and firm action by the various ministries. The government has failed to provide strong leadership in handling this crisis and is instead resorting to undemocratic means to stay in power.
ANWAR IBRAHIM