Kuala Lumpur Jan 23 (FMT)– Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says up to 115 MPs are against the proclamation of the emergency and want parliamentary sittings to be held, adding that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is now discussing the issue.
“There are about 114, 115 MPs that reject the PN’s government decision (to impose emergency),” he said.
“GPS is discussing the matter. I don’t know what the decision will be but we wait,” he said during a Facebook live forum held by National Council of Professors today.
He said if GPS rejects the emergency, it shows only about 90 are committed to the emergency.
The Port Dickson MP added the numbers were adequate and added that the opposition had requested the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reconsider the need to continue with the emergency and allow Parliament to sit again.
“We have more than enough MPs supporting us but I can only take the next step after the number is verified, not before that.
“As far as I am concerned, the numbers are enough. But I must wait and see what the King decides before making the next move.”
Media reports had also previously claimed that many MPs had submitted an appeal letter to the King to end the state of emergency imposed on Jan 13 to fight Covid-19.
Anwar had earlie claimed the move by the prime minister was only to hold on to power, with Parliament suspended.
Anwar had said he hoped the King would exercise his wisdom to rescind the emergency declaration and call for Parliament to convene on Jan 31 to discuss the emergency declaration and Covid-19 pandemic.
GST can be imposed when economy improves
Anwar was also asked on the goods and services tax (GST), which was abolished by the Pakatan Harapan coalition when it came to power following the 14th general election in 2018.
The GST, blamed by the opposition then for a hike in prices, was one of the main reasons attributed to Barisan Nasional’s defeat in GE14.
GST, Anwar said, was proposed when he was the finance minister in the 1990s.
“But I postponed it even though it is a transparent tax system for all levels because the wages were still very low then,” he said.
It would also have had an adverse impact on rural folks, he added.
However, Anwar said GST could be reviewed but it should not be a burden on the poor. “It can be done when the economy and salaries improve.”
