KUALA LUMPUR – Considering the circumstances of his takeover and the subsequent challenges that ensued, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has done well in the one year since he was appointed prime minister, said a political economist.
UiTM Sabah public policy lecturer Firdausi Suffian said the Bersatu president has performed admirably both on the economic and political fronts, and praised the passing of Budget 2021 as his biggest achievement to date.
Firdausi told The Vibes how Muhyiddin – having to come into the premiership fray following Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation on February 24 last year – managed to handle the economy on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“To be fair, in terms of economy, almost every other country in the world is not doing well. But in Malaysia, we are relatively all right.
“Muhyiddin led the country during this Covid-19 crisis, came up with various policies, and introduced several stimulus packages.
“He also ensured the passing of the budget, despite threats that even MPs from the government bench will reject it.
“To me, this is his biggest achievement as it is the toughest, so it is a clear indication that he can command the majority.”
Firdausi said Muhyiddin showed his political prowess when he advised for the nationwide emergency, which ensured less institutional constraints and more political manoeuvring.
“He knows that he doesn’t have the (backing of the) majority, so it has been tough for him.
“But he also knows how to play the political game to strengthen his position. Like it or not, he is still the prime minister.”
On Perikatan Nasional positioning itself as a Malay-Muslim government and what it means for non-Malays, Firdausi said the administration has not marginalised any race since coming into power.
However, he added, PN is still lacking on this front compared with Pakatan Harapan, which he said had set a very good precedent in terms of having an ideal, multiracial government.
Firdausi said the key factor that will assure Bersatu and Muhyiddin remain in power after the 15th general election (GE15) is whether they can maintain cooperation with Umno, which has recently announced that it is severing ties with Bersatu ahead of GE15.
“Malaysian politics is not like it was in the past; no single party dominates anymore.
“If Bersatu or Umno go at it alone, it will be difficult to secure enough seats to form the government. So, they need to compromise.”
Two experts believe that the fall of the PH administration stemmed from internal factionalism between its two biggest camps – that of then Bersatu chairman and prime minister Dr Mahathir, and his identified successor, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
UKM’s Assoc Prof Kartini Aboo Talib said PH was a loosely structured coalition of hope, with each of its components facing factionalism, and without support from Sabah and Sarawak parties.
It was the struggle between Dr Mahathir and Anwar over the nation’s highest political post that brought the whole house of cards down, said historian and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) expert Zainnal Ajmain.
“The fall of PH was its own doing. Anwar and his supporters just could not wait for Dr Mahathir to step aside.
“So, Dr Mahathir bowed out and brought the whole PH government down with him.
“Perhaps he was hoping that the Agong would appoint him as interim prime minister – if this had happened then there would have been no need for Malaysia to have a state of emergency.”
On claims that the ruling PN coalition came into power via a backdoor government, Kartini said the allegations were incorrect.
All the MPs serving the current administration had won the polls in their respective constituencies on the back of voters’ support in GE14, she added.
She said the king, too, had consulted them as representatives of the people in a democratic system.
“Muhyiddin had enough support as the Agong approved him.
“These are legitimately elected representatives of the people, who have declared their loyalty to the Agong and constitution.
“Calling them a backdoor government is an insult to the Agong, MPs, and constitution.”
Like Firdausi, Kartini also believes Muhyiddin has done well in managing the pandemic via his public health policies and “economic profoundness”.
Zainnal, on the other hand, condemned the prime minister’s leadership, panning the Pagoh MP as hopelessly out of touch with the people, stressing that he must be more sensitive to their needs.
Kartini and Zainnal also hold opposing views when it comes to national unity and the role of Malays and non-Malays in positions of power.
This is in light of the fact that the ruling coalition and current cabinet are made up of mostly Malay Muslim-based parties.
Kartini said non-Malay parties are only appendices to their Malay counterparts, adding that they will continue to be so.
“There is a significant misunderstanding about Muslims in Malaysia as we focus too much on Malay Muslims; yet there are Chinese Muslims, Indian Muslims and mualaf (converted Muslims).
“When we combine all of them, they can form a formidable force beyond Malay Muslims.”
But Zainnal pointed out that Malay Muslims are in disarray, forgetting that they live in a multiracial nation.
“Malay Muslims are in disarray. Malays have not come to terms with the fact that Malaysia is a multiracial and multistate nation, especially Sabah and Sarawak.
“Malays still think they are powerful, (but) are making a mockery of themselves.
“Bersatu can say what it likes about unity, but the people know who Muhyiddin is – he is Malay first.”
Regarding the economy and plans for its recovery, Kartini said Putrajaya should reintroduce the much-hated goods and services tax in phases to enable the country to move forward financially.
The lecturer said despite Muhyiddin putting a pause on democracy by implementing the emergency act to suspend Parliament, one must look beyond the move.
“His economic stimulus package is comprehensive, inclusive, and practical – from i-Lestari to i-Sinar, new tax exemptions, incentives for frontliners and loan moratoriums, to movement control orders in different phases at targeted areas and free vaccines for all, including illegal immigrants.”
She said the pandemic has negatively impacted all countries in the world, with even an economic and financial powerhouse like the United States severely affected.
Zainnal, on the other hand, shot down Muhyiddin and his administration, saying that they are using the pandemic as an excuse for not being able to do anything.
“Our economy is too dependent on cheap labour. The government did not implement the economic strategies of the 70s and 80s.
“Instead of implementing these strategies and uplifting our people, the government has imported cheap labour and created more problems, with some politicians making money from this.
“We need more brains in Putrajaya.” – The Vibes, April 5, 2021
