ON THE CONTRARY ZAHID: It's duty of all MPs to move a no-confidence vote against Najib

I refer to Zahid Hamidi’s statement yesterday claiming that there are those who are not willing to wait for the next election and want to use backdoor means to topple the government.

Minister Salleh Keruak today supported Zahid Hamidi, saying that in a democracy, any change in government should only be done through general elections.

I totally disagree with Salleh’s views. In a democracy, the tenure or right to be in government only exists so long as it continues to enjoy the confidence of the people. Wining an election and being in government does not make the government untouchable for 5 years, nor give it the license to plunder, steal or rob the country for 5 years with impunity.

Najib’s refusal to fully explain the RM2.6bil scandal has caused the public to completely lose trust and confidence in Najib’s government. Moreover, we have witnessed how public institutions have been subverted in recent weeks in what clearly appears to be a move to protect those in power from criminal investigations.

Zahid Hamidi

In such a grim scenario, where democracy, principles of good governance, integrity and accountability has been severely undermined and threatened - for the sake of the nation, I will be the first MP to openly support any joint initiative taken by both opposition and BN backbenchers to move a motion of no-confidence vote against Najib as the Prime Minister in Parliament. I believe this would be a call of duty of all MPs regardless of which party they represent, including BN MPs.

Such a move cannot be equated with toppling a government by illegal means, but by constitutional means, in which MPs will be acting together, representing the will and voice of the people in doing what is right and necessary in this desperate times in order to save our country from political instability and economic doom.

Gooi Hsiao Leung

Member of Parliament, Alor Setar.