By KINIBIZ
So the public conversation has shifted to the question of changing governments, with talk of a potential no-confidence motion in Parliament against the prime minister.
The Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has vowed to stay in office and fulfil his duty to serve the people, promising not to allow anyone to hijack that duty.
Meantime, his newly-minted deputy Zahid Hamidi has called for BN leaders to prevent a “toppling” from happening, citing support from the rakyat for the present government.
“It is a sacred trust, and no one should attempt to interfere with or hijack that obligation to lead. For it is the people who elected me, and I am proud and humbled to bear that mandate – which is the people’s to give or to take away. It does not belong to any individual, however eminent,” said Najib, likely referring to continuous calls by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his resignation.
But here’s the rub: If a no-confidence motion comes to pass, there is nothing detrimental to democracy about it at all. Prime ministers, like all other elected representatives, come and go – that is the point of democracy.
In fact, the option of organising a no-confidence motion in Parliament is probably the most democratic avenue of all for those who wish for the prime minister to vacate his position.
Attempting to stop this process if it is underway would, in fact, be detrimental to parliamentary democracy and risk running afoul of Section 124B of the Penal Code, which the police seems to have grown fond of using lately.
Lest the prime minister forgets, Malaysia is no stranger to removals of a state’s top executive along similar veins. Various points of history bear testament: the ouster of Sarawak’s first chief minister Stephen Kalong Ningkan and more recently the “toppling” of the Perak state government in 2009.
If the people, via their elected representatives or otherwise, say go, then you go. If the no-confidence motion is brought to a vote and a majority says stay, you stay. Democracy is that simple.
In any event here are is a selection of our best news, stories and analyses this past week for your viewing pleasure.
Let’s talk about property. The Malaysian property market has been facing a slump. But how long will the headwinds remain? Could another bubble happen once dampening measures are lifted? KINIBIZ looks at the question and more in a five-part issue this week. Start reading here, here, here, and here.
No peg for the ringgit. Reiterating previous sentiment expressed by Bank Negara, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the ringgit will not be pegged despite being undervalued. Nor will the government impose capital controls, as it did during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Read further here.
Petronas should quit Canadian venture. After two quarters reported in 2015 so far, Petronas is facing a cash squeeze with falling crude oil prices slashing income spectacularly. So why is it still pressing on with its RM123 billion venture in Canada when its cash flow difficulties may last awhile? Read on here.
LRT 3 PDP award not delayed, says source. Amid some concern on whether the project delivery partner (PDP) award for the proposed RM9 billion third extension of the light rail transit (LRT 3 had been delayed, multiple sources indicate to KINIBIZ that there is no delay. Read here.
So how, ride-sharers? Drivers for ride-sharing applications, currently illegal, who see their car impounded will still need to repay their loans. And therein lies a big question for the ride-sharing applications: what are they doing about it? Will drivers simply remain unfortunate casualties in the stand-off with authorities? Read here.
Ringgit waiting for a breather. The ringgit has taken more than its fair share of beatings this month, weakening past the 4.00 level against the greenback and some analysts are predicting that it will hit the 4.20 level. It needs a reprieve desperately. But will that happen? Read further here.
Does Selangor really need another state investment arm? So Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali wants a new entity to manage existing state investments under Menteri Besar Inc. It has sparked heated debate. The pressing question however remains: Does Selangor need it? Read more here.
Selangor’s free water scheme failed, says Syabas chief. Selangor residents may no longer enjoy free water below a certain threshold of usage following proposed review by Menteri Besar Azmin Ali. And Rozali Ismail, executive chairman of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor, calls the scheme a failure. Read here.
The great emerging market bubble. Something has gone badly wrong in the emerging economies that were supposed to be shaping, even dominating, the future of the world. The culprit? Politics. Will this prove an albatross for the emerging markets? Read further here.
Local innovation for local problems. As we learn more about the threat from substandard and counterfeit medicines, it is becoming clear that it is a far greater problem than previously thought. So how do we make forward progress from here? Read more on the matter here.
Sustaining strong institutions for a clean government. Accountability, good governance and strong legal framework accompanying sound institutions underpin Malaysia’s progress so far. And the independence of strong institutions to carry out key roles must be upheld if we are to progress further. Read further here.
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— by Khairie Hisyam Aliman, News Editor.
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