AMPANG – It is the duty of all Malaysians to vote Perikatan Nasional (PN) into federal power to ensure the country does not fall into further doldrums in the hands of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN).
This was the message by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as he rallied for support in a ceramah last night that was peppered by disparaging comments about his political rivals.
Addressing some 500 supporters, the former prime minister painted a picture of what could possibly happen in the immediate hours after polling stations are closed and vote counting concludes on Saturday.
“On November 19, if we win 114 or 115 seats, the Election Commission chairman will call to inform me that PN can form the new government. That is what I’m waiting for.
“But if we don’t achieve this, then how? That is not my problem, but yours. What happens if (the country) falls to PH or Umno-led BN?
“That is why you have a duty to save the country from falling into the hands of these groups of dishonest people.”
In his speech, Muhyiddin added that an able and capable government in the mould of PN will push the country forward.
He then went on to claim that BN is a coalition with leaders embroiled in corruption, while accusing PH of accomplishing nothing during its 22 months in Putrajaya after winning the general election in 2018.
“They say 22 months is too short, give them five years. I administered (the country) for 17 months during a difficult period. And if we compare that with PH and BN, the best is none other than PN.”
Muhyiddin added that with Malaysia still struggling to achieve developed-nation status due to poor governance, it is important to allow a responsible party like PN to take over control and resolve these issues.
The Bersatu president also boasted about being the person in charge of the nation during the pandemic, an achievement he said his political rivals – PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – do not possess.
“I don’t want to thump my own chest and say I steered the country out of the pandemic, but let the rakyat be the judge.”
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said a large portion of Malay voters have swung in favour of PN, but stopped short of providing an exact figure.
Later when asked about his claim, he told the press that an analysis done by his coalition has found this to be the case, but acknowledged the need for PN to work even harder in the coming days to fortify its position ahead of polling.
“Not just the Malays, but the Chinese, Indians, Orang Asli, and of course those in Sabah and Sarawak. These are important components that will determine who will win the majority support required (to form the government).”
On a separate matter, Muhyiddin cautioned Anwar against being too confident of a victory, with a few more days left before election.
This came after Anwar, who is also PKR president, expressed confidence on a couple of occasions that PH would secure a simple majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said the opposition leader should allow voters to fulfil their electoral duties, while accusing the latter of being too fixated on having a position in the government.
“We (PN) have been explaining what we offer at length, while the other side has not said anything. This means, to them, it (manifesto) is not important. Only position matters.
“For me, position is not important, but my service and what we have to offer to the country to ensure it can be in a better position.”
PH and BN unveiled their manifesto last week. – The Vibes, November 15, 2022
