GEORGE TOWN – As the elections for seven states draw nearer, Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has branded Malaysia as having a “twin crises”, claiming that the nation faces problems in both its leadership and the economy.
The former short-lived prime minister said that nothing was being done to address both crises.
Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, alleged that despite assurances that the situation was under control, there were signs of unease.
“Nothing seems to be done. The capabilities and the bravery to face the problems are lacking,” said Muhyiddin when launching the Penang PN election machinery at the coalition’s state-level convention here today.
Also present at the event held at Wisma Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, the Penang Gerakan headquarters, was Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau.
Muhyiddin stressed that while voters are king in any election, nothing is impossible in politics.
He said that PN is confident of faring well in the polls in Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, while there were signs it was getting more support in Penang, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan.
“I think we have 80% support from the Malays,” he said.
He also claimed that the coalition’s momentum from last year’s general election exists in Penang.
Despite being up against DAP’s strong support in the state, Muhyiddin said hard work could see PN triumph in the polls.
He also took a swipe at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, calling his administration “clueless”.
He said the economy was not growing big enough due to the lingering effects from the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the same time, living costs are constantly rising, he said.
Muhyiddin further exulted that PN had performed well despite being inundated with Covid-19 issues when the bloc was in power.
Despite no references to assist PN on how to manage the country during the pandemic, the coalition performed honourably, he claimed.
Taking a further dig, he accused Anwar of only being interested in winning and retaining power rather than public service, which he said was also a common feature of Umno and DAP.
According to Muhyiddin, the former Bersatu-led federal government had not discussed policies based on race and religion when in power.
“We helped everyone,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Lau pledged that if Gerakan and PN wrest state power from the DAP-led Pakatan Harapan in Penang, they will resolve the state’s notorious traffic congestion.
They will also settle the state’s water issues and improve its economic performance, he added. – The Vibes, June 17, 2023
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