'No need to fire us, we can resign on our own' - Latiff Ahmad

SHAH ALAM - Caretaker Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad called out Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on his confusing statements on Oct 17.

Latiff said the political speech that was made by Ismail Sabri during Barisan Nasional (BN) Stability and Prosperity Solidarity Council in Bagan was inaccurate and misleading especially on the matters concerning what was discussed in the cabinet meeting.

“All decisions of the cabinet meeting are consensus and unanimous for 14 months under the leadership of Ismail Sabri.

“We never voted to determine any decision,” he said in a statement.

He further said the current cabinet is made up of various parties such as Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Unlike the previous cabinet, Latiff said the cabinet only discussed policy matters and the people, not political issues.

“We discussed the election preparations, preparations to face disaster, Northeast Monsoon (MTL) and the preparation of the 2023 Budget.

“In fact, the presentation of the 2023 Budget obtained the approval of Cabinet members in advance. As far as I remember, it was discussed three times,” he added.

However, he said, for elections, Ismail Sabri did not have a mandate from Cabinet members regarding the date of the dissolution of Parliament.

“If the prime minister wishes to dissolve parliament sincerely, I believe that the Cabinet members will agree and give him a mandate,” he added.

He further said the matter was also raised by a Senior Minister on Oct 7 as to when the Parliament would be dissolved but the matter remained a question to the cabinet ministers

Latiff said statements such as “fire the minister" should not be mentioned in any political programme although it was a joke and a cynical statement.

“We know that the prime minister has the power to "hire and fire", but we have our dignity too.

“There is no need to fire us, we can resign on our own,” he said.

Pertaining to this, he said he could still remember when two Umno members resigned when Muhyiddin was the 8th Prime Minister.

“We are still members of the "caretaker" Cabinet. It's not too late to fire us.

“Maybe the 9th prime minister can make history by firing Cabinet members during the ‘injury time’,” he added.