KUALA LUMPUR: The continuous politicking and raising of issues on the validity of the prime minister should cease after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proved his majority in the Dewan Rakyat, government leaders told the August House today.
Members of parliament from the government bloc said leaders must now focus on nation-building, especially in healing the country's economy following a projected global downturn in 2023.
Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (PH-Kuala Selangor) when debating the motion of confidence on Anwar said politicians must have the courage to prioritise rebuilding the country rather than getting involved in another round of party hopping.
"It is very brave of Anwar to bring in this motion. We are currently in a transition to get out of political problems that were caused by the existence of statutory declaration (SD).
"Our previous reliance on SDs was what caused the eighth prime minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) to make offers and purchase MPs because apparently, it is easy to sell, auction, or turn us into prostitutes.
"Stop all politicking. This country must be rebuilt. Whatever the name of this government is, the priority should be on improving the country and the wellbeing of the people," he told the House.
Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) echoed a similar view saying no matter what name the current government is called, Putrajaya must restore political stability.
"When our politics is stable, the economy will prosper and the people's welfare will be taken care of.
"We have gone through too much in the last few years. We had three prime ministers in a single (parliamentary) term.
"The reason for the motion of confidence today is because we want to form a government to address vital issues, not for the prime minister to show his strength.
"We need stability because foreign investors need to feel confident with us. If we can't get enough investors, how can we properly help the people?"
Rafizi Ramli (PN-Pandan) told Perikatan Nasional (PN) that instead of questioning Anwar's decision to test his majority in Parliament today, they should question PN chairman Muhyiddin and Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang on why they refused to be part of the government.
"Pagoh (Muhyiddin) and Marang (Hadi) were the ones who were summoned by (the King) and offered to form a unity government (with PH) but they didn't want to," he said.
Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) at the same time urged PN to cease claiming that they have the majority support of the MPs.
"I hope the decision on today's motion of confidence will be accepted by the PN chairman who had previously claimed to have the majority."
Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman) warned MPs that prolonged politicking would harm the country, adding that political stability would ensure a prosperous nation.
"A stable government is necessary for us to be able to focus on economic recovery, restore investor confidence, establish equality between regions as well as prosper and preserve the welfare of the people.
"If we continue to fight, we are worried about the possibility that country may collapse and the people will become victims, especially when it is expected that we will face uncertain economic challenges next year," she told the House.