by Stan Lee
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has raised eyebrows,
reiterating for the second day in a row, that while the headline oppressive
laws - the Internal Security Act and the Emergency ordinance - will be
repealed, new legislation will be made to replace these.
He also said Malaysians must abide by the rules and not do as
they please as no one is above the law. In particular, he warned the opposition
not to engage in activities that could threaten national security.
“If any party does something which goes against the country’s
laws and can affect the peace and security of the people, there are laws that
can be referred to so that lawful action may be taken against them,” the DPM
and Umno deputy president told reporters on Sunday.
From
the frying pan into the fire
Indeed, while Najib promised to abolish the archaic ISA and
Emergency laws, the powerful Sedition Act and the Official Secrets Act remain
in place. Additionally, Article 149 of the federal constitution ensures that
the BN is able to pass new legislation as and when they wished to crackdown on
any political situation that disfavoured them.
On top of that, and in order to placate hardliners in Umno,
Najib also said the repealed laws would be replaced by new ones, prompting fear
that Malaysians might end up like the proverbial chestnut that jumped from the
frying pan into the fire.
For Muhyiddin, although he has expressed support for the
plan, he is seen as being forced to do so or risk being made to look bad by Najib.
Both men are locked in a growing tussle for the Umno
presidency and it has become obvious to political watchers that Muhyiddin now
commands the confidence of the majority of the Umno warlords. Umno is due to
have its annual congress in early December while party polls are next year.
Najib
puts Muhyiddin in a spot
In the meantime, Najib is facing increasing criticism within
Umno for being selfish and eyeing his own legacy, while putting Muhyiddin in a
spot.
If BN wins the next general election, Muhyiddin would be the
one who would have to knock togther the new laws the BN needs to suppress their
political rivals, making him even more unpopular than he already is.
When asked by reporters on Saturday, Muhyiddin supported his
boss' surprise decision.
"I want to say that the decision is in line with the
aspiration of the rakyat. It is also in line with the changes and demands of
our multi-racial citizenry."
But he made sure, there was no mistaking Umno would go ahead
with replacement laws, which have been condemned by critics as Najib's
"sleight of hand" or giving with one hand and taking back with the
other.
"We will not compromise on this," said Muhyiddin.
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Source : MC
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