SIBU: All MPs should evaluate the offer from Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and vote with their conscience during the confidence vote, says Robert Lau Hui Yew.
The Senator from SUPP urged parliamentarians to put public interest first and set aside political rivalries and personal self interest.
“It is time to move forward with courage in ways that are just,” he said in a statement Saturday (Aug 14).
Lau said political compromise came about not voluntarily but was prompted by the reality of election results.
He added that Malaysian politics had been a series of compromises and accommodations since independence through the Barisan Nasional coalition government
“What Muhyiddin offered is one of such moments. The Federal Constitution mandates that the prime minister command majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Muhyiddin has made the compromise, understanding that he needs support from across the aisle. In order to get their support, he has to make an offer that is legitimate and acceptable,” he added.
Lau said he considered Muhyiddin’s Friday evening offer normal and sensible.
“It is actually good for the country and exactly what the country needs moving forward.
“The offer made to the Opposition to gain their support to form the government is not bribery. It is in fact the very nature of a constitutional democratic system of government,” he added.
On the proposed anti-hopping law, Lau reckoned that it would be an improvement for the nation and a deterrent to the current political culture of “frogging” for personal gain.
He said now was a good time to evaluate and engage in the debate of whether the offer is acceptable or whether it could be further improved.
“This is a golden opportunity to rein in the vast power of the executive and return some of this power to the legislature,” he said.
