MIRI – While Malaysia’s economic recovery is something the prime minister can be proud of, little can be said about the country’s political stability.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the political situation in Malaysia is shaky, and this needs to be rectified for the country to progress further.
“There are signs that the nation’s economy is recovering from the adverse impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the political situation in the country is still unstable and shaky,” he said at a meet-the-people session in Kota Samarahan today.
“The federal government must ensure the political situation is stabilised in the interest of the rakyat.”
Muhyiddin said the government has made tremendous efforts to revive the economy following an unprecedented downturn.
“I took over as prime minister in a manner that was legal and valid after the last prime minister resigned – and why he resigned, I don’t know.
“At that time, the country was entering a stage where Covid-19 was spreading. It was a period of unprecedented difficulties, and I had to handle situations no other prime minister had ever had before.
“After suffering a drop of up to -17% in our economy since March last year due to the national and global lockdown, we are today seeing recovery, and we need the rakyat to support our efforts to recover further.
“We must have political stability if we want to progress, but I am facing unstable politics. I am thankful that Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg and GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) have declared their full support for me as the prime minister in order to stabilise the country,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the economy can recover to about 7% gross domestic product (GDP) stemming from the distribution of RM300 billion worth of socio-economic rejuvenation packages.
“We have also spent about RM8 billion to curb the spread of Covid-19 besides securing the vaccines needed for the country’s population, including for the people of Sarawak,” he said.
The prime minister is in Sarawak for a two-day working visit, which began yesterday. – The Vibes, April 2, 2021