Political suicide for PM to dodge confidence vote, observers say

KUALA LUMPUR – Any attempt by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to manoeuvre himself out of a confidence vote scheduled for next month will be detrimental to his political career.

Political analysts said this will do no good for what is left of the prime minister’s diminishing reputation. 

It is understood that Muhyiddin is weighing his options ahead of the all-important vote on September 7.

With over a dozen Umno MPs already withdrawing their support, and purported attempts to threaten and entice opposition lawmakers into crossing over having failed, the Pagoh MP may well be looking at his final few weeks in the top post.

As he considers relinquishing his position as head of the scandal-hit Perikatan Nasional government or potentially calling a snap election, a new scenario appears to have come into play. 

There is chatter among Muhyiddin’s political rivals on concerns that the embattled prime minister may try to avoid a confidence vote altogether by again suspending Parliament. 

This is not an unlikely scenario, considering the abrupt postponement of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting at the end of last month, done on Muhyiddin’s order and the pretext of a Covid-19 outbreak in Parliament.

Muhyiddin must face reality

Speaking to The Vibes, National Council of Professors senior fellow Prof Jeniri Amir said such tactics would be the final nail in the prime minister’s coffin. 

The move will not only deplete his already waning popularity among the rakyat, but also further raise the ire of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, especially with the pair’s relationship said to be not cordial.

“Do you think His Majesty will be happy? The Agong himself wants the country to be out of this prolonged political quagmire.” 

While Muhyiddin is unlikely to evade a confidence vote, knowing that his image is at stake and with the current political instability, it should not be discounted. 

This is especially so given the constitutional and parliamentary powers granted to the government and prime minister, said Jeniri. 

“But if he has to pull yet another manoeuvre, using all sorts of excuses and justifications, I don’t think the people are going to accept it.  

Let’s face it. Muhyiddin must face the reality (of the current situation), he cannot run away from it.  He must face it head-on. After all, he was the one who mentioned that he was brave enough to test his legitimacy.”  

However, said the academic, regardless of the outcome of the vote, the political crisis is far from over, and that only a general election provides a chance of reinstating stability.  

“Even if Muhyiddin loses, it doesn’t guarantee we will be out of the woods. There will be more political episodes. And so long as we are in this political limbo, we are going to face more crises and uncertainties.  

“This (confidence vote) is only a temporary measure to overcome the current impasse. An election is definitely the best solution, especially if one coalition can find a convincing majority. Of course, this has to be done only once we are out of the pandemic.” 

Get legal eagles involved in upcoming sitting

Universiti Malaya’s Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi, too, believes there is a likelihood of Muhyiddin pulling a fast one in Parliament, taking into account the prospect of him going down in Malaysian history as the first prime minister to be ousted via a confidence vote in the august House.  

“It would be an embarrassing outcome if that happens. So, the possibility (of Muhyiddin evading a vote) cannot be denied.  

“And if that happens, it will have quite an impact on the already feeble political stability. There will be growing frustration among the rakyat, who want Parliament to be the stage for democracy in determining Muhyiddin’s legitimacy.”  

To avoid a potential misapplication of power by the government and the perversion of the law, Awang Azman proposed that independent and veteran legal eagles be involved in the upcoming sitting. 

“I know this is not the convention. But perhaps, we can get some current and former judges, or the chief justice, to monitor the running of Parliament and ensure the proceedings are carried out accordingly.” – The Vibes, August 14, 2021