In urging fellow Bersatu members to speak up in favour of the idea, Arau division chief Ameir Hassan said it should be “welcomed with sincerity”, as such a council would be free from political influence and prioritise the needs of the people above all else.
He also called for Bersatu members to return to the “right path” and back Mahathir, the party’s former chairman.
“Political decisions must be set aside, there’s no more time for politics. The safety of the people is the main agenda. Political influence can no longer interfere with any executive decision,” he said in a statement.
During his audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last week, Mahathir mooted the formation of a National Operations Council, similar to the Mageran established following the 1969 race riots, to take over the administration of the country with him leading the body.
Ameir also compared the country’s current battle with the Covid-19 virus to the riots that sparked the formation of Mageran in 1969, noting that the pandemic has killed more people than the clashes did over 50 years ago.
“Therefore, the members of the National Operations Council should be appointed from those who are experienced and knowledgeable,” he said.
He added that in the “war” against Covid-19, the country cannot rely on a weak government to overcome the challenges posed.
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