There’s no justification for emergencies, just PM benefits, says Dr. M

PETALING JAYA: The country’s longest-serving prime minister has warned against an emergency, saying there is no justification for it and that it would lead to a stock market crash.

In a statement, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad said that Covid-19, which has been used to justify Parliament’s delay, appears to be being used again in a push to justify an emergency declaration.

He said the powers and authority now wielded by the government were adequate to deal with the pandemic.

“We did not find the kind of objections from people as seen in the United States and Europe. Our people have largely obeyed restrictions, such as the motion control order (MCO).

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

Mahathir, who served twice as prime minister, said that an emergency would give Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin additional powers and would only benefit him as Parliament would be paralyzed.

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

“He has a huge cabinet that has contributed nothing to the well-being of the people and the country. Most of the things that are done have to do with the political situation ”.

Mahathir said that rumors of an emergency have already caused the stock market to plunge deep. If one were declared, the stock market would “crash completely.”

“Investors have no faith that the prime minister can manage the economy.”

Mahathir said the countries with the most serious Covid-19 problems have not declared the emergency for the entire country, but only for the affected areas.

“That was specific to dealing with the local problem. But none have suspended the laws and Parliament as they would if an Emergency were declared in Malaysia.

“There is no unrest or violence in Malaysia, there is no breaking of laws and order to justify an emergency.”

But he said there was a need for “changes” in government that “seized power by undemocratic means.”

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