Sin Chew Daily

As COVID-19 pandemic is worsening here with the daily numbers of new confirmed cases surging, the political situation is equally hot in Malaysia.

After PKR president Anwar Ibrahim announced in a press conference he had secured the support from majority of the MPs lat month, political turmoil began to unfold.

On October 13, Anwar had an audience with the King without submitting the list of MPs supporting him as PM.

The Perikatan Nasional government has not yet collapsed but the momentum of political turmoil is fast building up.

Umno veteran leader Tengku Razaleigh published a letter he had written to Dewan Rakyat Speaker seeking assurance from the latter to have the motion of no-confidence against PM Muhyiddin tabled and debated in the House.

Umno's political bureau is mulling retracting its support for the PN government, with new conditions set for continued collaboration.

Several incidents and speculations intensified the political climate here.

Pejuang has made clear its stand of supporting Tun Mahathir as PM for a third term.

The speculation of "who's supporting whom" went round in the political circle. Several MPs have tabled a motion of no-confidence against PM Muhyiddin.

Other speculations include Mahathir and Ku Li working together to overturn Muhyiddin and stop Anwar from becoming PM, cabinet reshuffle and new conditions set by Umno.

Malaysians at large are facing the increasing burden financially as the COVID-19 pandemic turns for the worse. The intensified political turmoil has added more uncertainties to the already dim situation.

The ongoing political tussle does not augur well for the country especially when the whole nation is supposed to work hand in hand to combat the virus.

The King has advised politicians to stop their power-grabbing games and not to sink the nation into political turmoil again.

His majesty has stressed that politicians must not fight among themselves just because of their divergent views.

Instead, they should resolve their disputes through negotiations based on the spirit of the Federal Constitution.

In a nutshell, politicians must settle their differences based on the Federal Constitution and place the people's interest above their own.

People are unhappy with the protracted political battles.

A recent opinion poll conducted by Emir Research revealed that Malaysians are unsure of the future direction of the country because of political instability, not so much the COVID-19 pandemic.

People generally feel that politicians should solve the problems encountered by the rakyat on the ground and not engaging in the power game.

If political instability does not come to an end, the next parliamentary sitting will be another battleground and the national economy is poised to suffer a further setback.

Politicians must realize that prolonged tussle will not benefit the country.