Tun M voices concern if Fixed Term Act implemented
SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed concern if the Fixed Term Bill was implemented to keep the government running the country until the end of the term.
Among the concerns voiced by the former Langkawi Member of Parliament was about the situation in the country if the administration's leaders were involved in corruption, while no action could be taken because they were bound by the law.
"There is an opinion by national leaders that when a government is established, it should be allowed to rule until the end of its time. That way the government becomes stable.
"It is true that stability is good for the country, but what will happen when the government is led by a criminal who openly steals money and abuses the power of the government by imprisoning members of the opposing party?
"What will happen when the economy crashes down so badly that the people starve to death?
"What will happen if corruption gets worse? Up to the point that dealings with the government take a long time and depend on the bribes given," he said through the X application on Tuesday.
Commenting further, Dr Mahathir said if the government was given the authority to remain in power for a period of five years, it is feared that it would make the process of restoring the damaged country difficult.
On the other hand, he said, if democracy runs well, the ruling party itself can topple leaders of criminals and liars.
"As a replacement a leader who is frank and adheres to the law will be chosen to replace a destructive leader.
"If the party does not drop its leader who is corrupt, the people's representatives can stop supporting him," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had proposed to create a bill to keep a government running the country until the end of the term, to be tabled in Parliament.
He said the bill was important to prevent past events such as changing the prime minister three times in the 14th Parliament term from happening again in the future.
