KUALA LUMPUR – Social media is abuzz with reactions from politicians and observers, most of whom slammed the appointment of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman with minister status.
Taking to Twitter, political analyst Prof Bridget Welsh said there are more “Perikatan Nasional 2.0” players in new roles, but without fresh policies in sight.
“Given Muhyiddin’s leadership record on Covid-19 and the suffering caused, this shoring-up-numbers decision does not evoke confidence.
“Malaysia is looking like it may need a recovery from the (National) Recovery Council.”
More PN 2.0 w/old players in new roles w/o new policies. Given Muhyiddin's leadership record on Covid & suffering caused, this shoring-up-numbers decision does not evoke confidence. Malaysia is looking like it may need a recovery from the recovery council. https://t.co/K6Wk37P88o
— Bridget Welsh (@dririshsea) September 4, 2021
Pejuang president and Jerlun MP Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir vented his frustration over “#KerajaanGagal’s stupidity”.
“Yet another logic-defying decision. The failed prime minister Muhyiddin they butted out because #kerajaangagal in handling Covid-19, they now appoint to chair NRC. When will this stupidity end? #KerajaanGagalLagi.”
Yet another logic defying decision. The failed PM Muhyiddin they butted out because #kerajaangagal in handling Covid they now appoint to chair National Recovery Council. When will this stupidity end?#KerajaanGagalLagi
— Mukhriz Mahathir (@MukhrizMahathir) September 4, 2021
Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi said: “I thought we have a new prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) who is quite pro in handling Covid-19?”
Her tweet refers to the statement issued by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali earlier today, in which he said Putrajaya is confident in Muhyiddin’s ability to lead national recovery strategies to achieve the best impact on the economy and revive the people’s lives, which have been severely affected by the pandemic.
Eh…I thought we have a new PM who is quite pro in handling Covid-19? ? https://t.co/RgguEJCShG
— Wong Shu Qi (@WongShuQi) September 4, 2021
PKR’s Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin did not miss the opportunity to “congratulate” the appointment of “74 ministers” in a week.
“Monday - 70 ministers, Wednesday - 3 duta minister status, Saturday - 1 chairman minister Total 74... All within 1 week. Tahniah.”
Monday - 70 Ministers
— SimTzeTzin 沈志勤 ?? (@simtzetzin) September 4, 2021
Wednesday - 3 duta Minister status
Saturday - 1 chairman Minister
Total 74... All within 1 week. Tahniah.
He was referring to the cabinet and deputy ministers, as well as PAS president and Marang MP Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Progressive Democratic Party’s Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (Bintulu MP) and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party’s Datuk Seri Richard Riot (Serian MP), who have been retained as special envoys to the Middle East, China and East Asia, respectively.
Former minister Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim “congratulated” Muhyiddin on his new role.
“He (Muhyiddin) will be the next prime minister, I am sure. That will be our full recovery.”
Tahniah Muhyiddin Pengerusi National Recovery. He will be next PM I am sure. That will be our full recovery
— Zaid Ibrahim (@zaidibrahim) September 4, 2021
Zaid later told The Vibes that he was taking a jab at the government, and that its leaders are beyond irresponsible to appoint someone who has failed miserably, as the “master” again.
Ipoh Barat MP M. Kula Segaran of DAP called on Muhyiddin to turn down the appointment.
“Ex-prime minister Muhyiddin must decline the appointment as NRC chairman. The 18 months of governing the country was nothing short of a complete failure.”
ExPM @MuhyiddinYassin must be magnanimous to decline the appointment as Chairman Majlis Pemulihan Negara. The 18 months of governing the country was nothing short of a complete failure. pic.twitter.com/QhMxBB5jjL
— M. Kula Segaran (@mkula) September 4, 2021
Muda vice-president Thanussha Francis Xavier said it took the people much effort to “kick” Muhyiddin out of office, only for him to return as NRC chairman.
“After so much public anger and protests, we kicked him out of office (only) for him to return as chair. They really think we’re fools.”
"the appointment was made as the government was confident in Muhyiddin's ability to spearhead a national recovery strategy."
— Dr Thanussha ??? (@DrThanussha) September 4, 2021
After so much public anger and protests, we kicked him out of office for him to return as chair.. ?
They really think we’re fools.
‘Minister status’ pic.twitter.com/LkJqMuUmBm
Twitter user @KoolSammm share Thanussha’s sentiments, and questioned if Muhyiddin can lead the country into recovery when he was previously deemed “a failure”.
“Ismail Sabri and the Umno government’s logic is just incredible!”
They said he’s a failure as PM but he can lead the country into recovery!?? @IsmailSabri60 and the @umnoonline government logic is just incredible!
— Sam Khoo (@KoolSammm) September 4, 2021
A check of Muhyiddin’s post on his appointment showed that it received 40,000 “likes” and “hearts”, with more than 3,700 comments and 1,400 shares as at 10pm.
The Pagoh MP thanked the cabinet, especially Ismail Sabri, for the role, and expressed gratitude to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for allowing the appointment.
“I am honoured to accept this appointment and will perform the duties voluntarily without any remuneration.
“The government has entrusted me with continuing all the efforts and plans initiated to put the country on the path of recovery.
“The members of NRC and I will play a role in assisting the prime minister and the government under his leadership to lead Malaysia into recovery, as outlined in the National Recovery Plan.”
This includes supporting the implementation of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, facilitating the reopening of economic, social, education and religious sectors, and creating public awareness on the importance of living in the new norm, he said. – The Vibes, September 4, 2021
