Reforms as bribes: opposition lambasts Muhyiddin’s hypocrisy

KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition parties expressed “disgust” at Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for attempting to buy support through reforms such as an anti-hopping law. 

In a statement, four opposition parties, namely Muda, Warisan, Upko, and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) said Muhyiddin was being hypocritical since his Perikatan Nasional administration was formed with MPs who jumped ship after accepting alleged offers and bribes. 

“We vehemently reject the political offer made by Muhyiddin at the special address. 

“We are really disgusted by the hypocrisy shown by Muhyiddin, especially when he tried to buy support through the anti-hopping law, when his government was formed with MPs jumping ships after accepting offers and bribes. 

“His arrogance to stay in power by buying MPs and assemblymen resulted in the downfall of the Sabah, Kedah, Perak, and Johor state governments,” they said. 

The statement was jointly signed by Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, and Baru Bian representing PSB.

Since last year, the party leaders said, they have made proposals in hopes to stabilise the government through the Confidence and Supply Agreement. 

“Although Muhyiddin became the prime minister and formed a backdoor government, we are willing to compromise for the benefit and welfare of the people. 

“However, he arrogantly rejected all offers from the opposition. From the first day he was installed as the prime minister, he arbitrarily abused the law for the sake of power,” they said.

In the same statement, they also stressed that it is not the Pagoh MP’s prerogative to ensure any MPs receive majority support from the Dewan Rakyat before he resigns. 

“We urge Muhyiddin to resign in an honourable manner and allow the democratic process to resume. 

“All reform proposals supposedly tabled by Muhyiddin can be brought by the new prime minister who has the support of majority of the Dewan Rakyat and not from a backdoor government prime minister.

“He must resign immediately,” they said.

Earlier today, the embattled prime minister made a last-ditch appeal to opposition MPs for bipartisan support during the vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat, in an effort to continue administrating the country.

In an apparently desperate attempt to cling to his position amid growing indication of a loss of majority support, Muhyiddin, who is also the Bersatu president, has promised to implement a slew of changes and policies.

This includes introducing a two-term limit for the prime minister and an anti-party-hopping law, benefits and remuneration for the opposition leader equal to a federal senior minister’s, and the inclusion of opposition MPs in the discussions of any bill, including federal budgets. – The Vibes, August 13, 2021