JOHOR BARU: Umno veteran Tan Sri Shahrir Samad (pic) has fired back at Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin saying that dissolving a government is not as easy as pushing a button.

       The former MP, who is Johor Baru Umno division chief, said that our country has a constitution with each state also having their own constitutions.

       “Furthermore, there are the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultans, Yang di-Pertua Negeri who also have constitutional roles and responsibilities.

       “Wanting to dissolve the Dewan Rakyat or state assembly is not as easy as 'pressing the button',” he said in a Facebook post here on Sunday (Nov 14).

       On Muhyiddin singling out his loss in the last election, Shahrir said it has to do with the basic concept of Malaysia’s democratic practice, namely Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.

       “That, if we can still remember,” he added.

       On Friday, Muhyiddin, who is Pagoh MP and Gambir assemblyman, said that he has no qualms about dissolving the Johor government.

       However, Muhyiddin said he would not do it because he cares for the people of the state.

       “Don't challenge me. I'm the president Bersatu and (chairman of) Perikatan Nasional. I'm thinking about the welfare of the people now, Shahrir isn't.

       "If he wants me to press the button, I will. Do you want to see that happen? I'm not afraid, but... I don't want what happened to the people of Melaka to (happen to) Johoreans," he added.

       Without mincing words, Muhyiddin described Shahrir's challenge to him to trigger the dissolution of the Johor state assembly as "bodoh" (stupid).

       "I'm sorry. I've known him for a long time, but you have to be reasonable. When times are so hard, it's about the people's lives and their interests, not about power.

       "Sorry to say, but Shahrir has lost his bearings. He doesn't make sense anymore. He's more concerned about power," he added.

       Muhyiddin pointed out that Shahrir even lost in the 14th General Election when he contested the Johor Baru parliamentary seat under Umno.

       "It's as though he's angry that he lost in the last elections.

       "I'm sorry, it's hard, but I think it's unreasonable and irresponsible (to suggest dissolving the assembly). Johoreans should be mad at Shahrir for even suggesting this," he said.

       Earlier on Friday, Shahrir said Johor Umno was always ready if Muhyiddin wanted to withdraw Perikatan's support of the state government.

       Shahrir dared Muhyiddin to withdraw the coalition's support after the former prime minister had apparently said during a virtual ceramah on Thursday (Nov 11) night that if one or two assemblymen retracted support in Johor, the state government would collapse.