IT'S been a month since my last posting. Workload and other obligations have been keeping me away from the blog.
However, the latest political development provides me with some insights, notably the announcement by Umno President Zahid Hamidi last night about the party's decision leaving the Perikatan Nasional led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
It drew responses from Umno MPs and other leaders, with most party ministers shying away from making any comment except for Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa and his 'buddies'. Nothing shocking about Umno pulling the plug on PN as the move was much-awaited since last year.
Citing seven government failures leading to the withdrawal of support, its a blend of politics and non-politics. First, Muhyiddin was already losing majority at the Parliament, hinging on a razor-thin 'extra' support from the MPs.
Secondly, efforts to drag the Palace into politics are deplorable. That prompted The King to issue a decree that the Parliament must reconvene immediately to debate the Emergency Ordinance and the National Recovery Plan. However, the government said it will be used to explain further the Plan and was met with opposition by disgruntled MPs.
The 'total lockdown' is a failure as it failed to bring down the number of new cases, and the move to declare the MCO was considered by many as too late when it was called when the cases breached the 7,000 level.
The permission to allow some factories was also met with criticism not only by lawmakers but the people who was 'jailed' for more than a month now and facing so many hardships and difficulties. More people are falling into the poor bracket and the 'white flag' campaign is becoming a symbol to demonstrate their frustration and agony.
Maybe it is not fair to blame Muhyiddin solely. It was very unfortunate that he rose to power at the height of Covid-19 pandemic. But he chose to be.
On the other hand, Zahid was right. PN never treated Umno like a buddy. Sabah state election last September was a clear arm-flexing by PPBM onto Umno. Any decisions by the Cabinet were also kept away from Umno, the largest partner in the coalition. The Emergency is another.
A day after pulling out of PN, the PM called the AG who issued a statement that the Cabinet still stay and function as there was no motion of a no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin. I think he made a big mistake there as it gives idea to the Opposition Pakatan Harapan comprising the DAP, PKR and Amanah to do so. And now, Umno, maybe.
However, Muhyiddin can always 'buy' the PH MPs to stay in power. He did just that when some MPs from the Opposition abandoned their respective parties and joined PPBM. So cunningly done, and of course with plenty of money.
Sources say the RM30,000 special allocation for each and every MP as Covid-management fund is not free of discrepancy. Why, I was told the Opposition MPs were given extra RM300,000, including Umno's pro-PN Members of Parliament.
If its founded, where is the honesty and sincerity in the government?
Let alone the government is not elected by the people in a general election, it is (as alleged by many) running the country on a day-to-day basis. When the people affected by the SOP romp for survival, the governments seems to give them a ringgit compared to two ringgit for their politics.
Dudgeon is how to describe the atmosphere now. More people are on the brink of losing everything. In some cases, thousands have taken their own life. So, why must the government imposed a lockdown yet permitting some sectors to operate at the expense of the people?
Foreign investors are also keeping away from us. Some have shifted out. Political instability on the back of a rickety government says it all. Foreign diplomats whom I met every week voiced out their concern about our failure to contain the pandemic as they are affected too.
Where is justice in all these?
To me, justice only applies to PN and not the people. Zahid did it right. Umno has been on nationwide tour to aid them, with limited resources.
Oh, something crosses my mind - will the government ransack the judiciary to punish Zahid by sending him to jail 'by hook or by crook' for severing the ties and putting PN in trouble? Will the AG pass on the verdict 'guilty' when he is not?
So many things. They are capable of running the nation ala dictatorship. But wait, the whole world is watching us now. The rakyat too. Or maybe Muhyiddin wants to go after leaving a legacy.
Let's wait for the Parliament to resume... in a few weeks.
To Zahid, just ignore the MPs who objects to you. Focus on the rakyat as they already are sick and tired of the government! The time will come for you to call it a shot on them!