Dr M raises spectre of a corrupt leader should FTPA be in place

January 17, 2024

Dr M raises spectre of a corrupt leader should FTPA be in place

KUALA LUMPUR: What will happen if the government is led by a corrupted criminal? – that’s the question posed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad amid the current debate on having a law that enables a government to finish its full term.

While he lauded the stability that would come with such a move, Dr Mahathir said a “bad government” that was in power for five years would lead the country down an irreversible path of damage and destroy the country.

In a social media post put up on Tuesday (Jan 16), the country’s two-time prime minister fired off a series of questions in regard to the renewed call by Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to introduce a specific law to allow any government to complete its full five-year term.

“What will happen if the government is led by a criminal who openly steals government money and abuses power?

“What will happen when the economy breaks down and the people suffer?

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“What will happen if corruption becomes so common that all dealings with the government take a long time and depend on bribes given?” Dr Mahathir asked.

In situations like this, he said, a general election might be able to change the government but “with the power and tools available, the elections could be rigged and the same bad government could win”.

“The abuse of power by that government will then persist,” he added.

However, if democracy worked well, the ruling party could itself topple leaders who were criminals and liars, said Dr Mahathir.

“As a replacement, an upright and law-abiding leader could then be chosen to replace the destructive leader.

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“If the party does not drop its leader who is corrupt, then the people’s representatives can stop supporting the leader.

“This will lead to his fall and maybe even the party’s downfall and a general election can be held to elect a new government,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid’s latest proposal on a Fixed-Term Parliament Act (FTPA), which was previously made by civil society, came on the heels of the Dubai Move, a purported plot led by the opposition to overthrow the government.

The proposal had been both praised and panned by many quarters, with some applauding it for ensuring stability and the country’s economic well-being and others calling it undemocratic.

Dr Mahathir, who became prime minister for the second time after leading Pakatan Harapan to victory in the 2018 general election, did not finish his term when he resigned in 2020 following the Sheraton Move.

The move caused the Pakatan government to fall, with a new coalition, Perikatan Nasional, coming to power and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister.

However, Muhyiddin’s term ended in August 2021 after only 17 months when he lost support as the prime minister following a move by Barisan Nasional.

Umno’s then vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob took over as prime minister until parliament was dissolved and the 15th General Election held in November 2022.