ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid today refuted claims that the suggestion to introduce a fixed-term bill to allow the ruling government to administer until the end of its term is an attempt by the unity government to cling to power.
He said the move, proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, is a positive step towards ensuring political stability and averting the country from plunging into another political crisis.
"I believe it's a positive move at this time, as the people desire a peaceful and stable situation rather than constantly dealing with political crises.
"Whether it's foreign investors or local investors, they also feel hesitant to invest due to the unstable political atmosphere.
"Therefore, once this term is over, whatever is going to happen (government changes) should occur during the elections," he said during a press conference at Bangunan Tunku today.
Mahdzir, who is also Kedah Barisan Nasional chairman, assured that the unity government's position is also secure, backed by ample support from members of parliament.
"The support for the current government is more than sufficient, including five Bersatu MPs who openly expressed their support for the prime minister.
"This indicates the government is in a stable condition," he added.
Commenting on Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's claims about people demanding a change of government, Mahdzir suggested that Perikatan Nasional wait until the next general election.
"Perhaps the MB doesn't quite understand, I admit that during that time, the people in Kedah chose PN, and we lost.
"However, we need to consider the entire nation, with the Peninsula, Sarawak, and Sabah, all 222 seats. At the time, it didn't work out (for PN). That's all, brother Sanusi," he added.
On Jan 3, Sanusi reportedly confirmed that there is a move by PN to topple the Unity government through democratic process that is permitted by the Federal Constitution.
Sanusi said the move was engineered based on loopholes in the Anti-hopping law made used by the unity government to woo the support of five MPs from PN.
Sanusi added that the people are supporting the move to topple the unity government.