PM says will not wait ‘a day longer’ to call for GE once Covid-19 under control

(NST) – The state of emergency declaration was not implemented for anybody’s political gain, but to intensify the country’s fight against Covid-19, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Prime Minister said the Emergency Ordinance, implemented nationwide until Aug 1, allowed the country to immediately implement measures to avoid Covid-19 cases from surging.

He refuted claims that the emergency proclamation was declared to guarantee his position as prime minister.

“Let me reiterate that the state of emergency was not declared because I no longer command the majority support in Parliament. If the support towards me had dwindled, how did we manage to pass the 2021 Budget last year?

“I only want to carry out my responsibilities that the people have entrusted in me.”

Muhyiddin said this in a special interview with senior news editors at his house on Friday.

The interview was held in conjunction with Perikatan Nasional’s one year anniversary in administration. The New Straits Times was represented by senior news editor Faridul Anwar Farinordin at the interview.

Muhyiddin added that he was confident that he was backed by strong support, and that his position as the prime minister was constitutionally legal.

He added the emergency declaration could end earlier than scheduled, if the 2021 Emergency Independent Committee, appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, decided that the declaration could be lifted.

“And I will obey whatever that has been decided by the committee. At the same time, we do not intend to be continuously placed under such declaration.”

He also said he “would not wait a day longer” to call for polls, once the Covid-19 situation in the country was under control.

“I want to do my very best. I want to leave a legacy not for my own self, but for the country.”