No justification for Emergency, only PM benefits, says Dr M

(FMT) – The country’s longest-serving prime minister has cautioned against an Emergency, saying there is no justification for it and that it would lead to a collapse of the stock market.

In a statement, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Covid-19, which has been used to justify the delaying of Parliament, appears to again be used in a push to justify a declaration of Emergency.

He said the powers and authority that the government now wields were adequate to deal with the pandemic.

“We don’t find the kind of objections by the people as seen in the US and Europe. Our people have very largely obeyed the restrictions, such as the movement control order (MCO).

“What can Emergency do to stop the pandemic more than what we can do now? Nothing.”

Mahathir, who served twice as prime minister, said an Emergency would give extra powers to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and would only benefit him as Parliament would be paralysed.

According to Mahathir, his successor has not mitigated the political, economic and social problems affecting the country.

“He has a huge Cabinet which has contributed nothing to the well-being of the people and the country. Most of the things done are about the political situation.”

Already, Mahathir said, rumours of an Emergency have seen the stock market taking a deep dive. If one were to be declared, the stock market would “collapse completely”.

“The investors have no faith in the prime minister being able to manage the economy.”

Mahathir said countries with more severe Covid-19 problems have not declared emergency for the whole country but only for the affected areas.

“That was specific for dealing with the local problem. But none have suspended laws and Parliament as it would if Emergency is declared in Malaysia.

“There are no riots or violence in Malaysia, no breakdown of laws and order to justify an Emergency.”

But he said there was a need for “changes” in the government which “seized power through undemocratic means”.