Why is Mahathir accusing the Perikatan government of partial dictatorship?

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Mahathir Accuses Perikatan Government of Partial Dictatorship Due to Blocked No-Confidence Vote

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, of being a "partial dictatorship." This strong accusation stems from the PN government's decision not to permit a motion of no-confidence against Muhyiddin Yassin to be debated during an upcoming parliamentary sitting. Dr Mahathir argues that this move, coupled with the scheduled one-day parliamentary session on May 18 which precludes any new motions, is actively undermining the democratic process in Malaysia.
Prevention of No-Confidence Debate

The core of Mahathir's accusation lies in the PN administration's refusal to allow a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to be brought before Parliament. Dr Mahathir himself had formally notified Parliament of his intention to table such a motion on May 4. He contends that this action is a deliberate attempt to circumvent a democratic check on power, particularly as he claims Muhyiddin no longer holds the majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
Erosion of Democratic Processes

Mahathir asserts that the PN government's actions are actively eroding democracy. He specifically points to the one-day parliamentary sitting scheduled for May 18, highlighting that no new motions can be presented during this limited session. This, he argues, prevents the elected representatives from fulfilling their duty to scrutinise the government and hold the prime minister accountable, thereby blocking the democratic process.
Questioning Majority Support

A significant reason behind the no-confidence motion, and consequently the accusation of dictatorship, is Mahathir's assertion that Muhyiddin Yassin does not command a majority in the Dewan Rakyat. He cites alleged statements from Umno, indicating that the party as a whole does not support the PN coalition. Mahathir suggests that individual lawmakers from Umno are expressing support for Muhyiddin primarily to facilitate the downfall of the previous Pakatan Harapan administration, rather than out of genuine backing for the current government.
Comparison to Previous Administrations

Dr Mahathir drew a parallel between the current PN administration and previous governments, including that of Datuk Seri Najib Razak, which he had previously labelled as "thieves and kleptocrats." However, he stated that by blocking parliamentary debate and motions, Muhyiddin's government is not merely undemocratic but constitutes a "partial dictatorship." He stressed the importance of the people understanding these manoeuvres that he believes are contrary to the mandate given by the electorate.

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Why is Mahathir accusing the Perikatan government of partial dictatorship?

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