Razaleigh calls for quick end to issues of governance

PETALING JAYA: Veteran politician Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has called for a quick settlement to the current problems of governance and leadership.

The Gua Musang MP said that when it came to governance, no one could accuse him of inconsistency.

“I am confident that nobody can accuse me of inconsistency in my stand on governance, public responsibility and the need for change.

“This has been the theme of my struggle nationally and in Umno since 1987,” Tengku Razaleigh said in a statement yesterday, referring to the year he mounted an unsuccessful bid to challenge Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the Umno presidency.

Tengku Razaleigh did not mention any names but his remarks came after Dr Mahathir claimed that the veteran MP had changed his mind on backing the move to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after failing to gather enough support from other MPs.

On Saturday, the former prime minister said he had met with Tengku Razaleigh to discuss a vote of no-confidence against Najib.

But he alleged that Tengku Raza­leigh changed his stance after realising that he could not get the numbers.

The following Thursday, Tengku Razaleigh and other Barisan Nasional representatives signed the Kelantan Declaration, pledging their undivided support for Najib.

Tengku Razaleigh did not refer to Dr Mahathir’s allegations but in his statement yesterday, he said that in the recent past, the demand for change had intensified.

“Like others who want change, I have explored all legitimate and legal avenues, including the role of the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.

He said that as a politician, he had to operate within the bounds of the Federal Constitution and his political party.

“Therefore, the issue of being supportive of the government of the day and by extension, to the head of the government, does not arise.” he said.