KOTA KINABALU – Sabahans are unconcerned about federal politics or who will be the next prime minister, but stressed that the individual must do better in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects.
Stall operator Lam Chee Wah, 48, said he does not care who will be the next head of government, but blames the current political problem on “greedy” leaders.
“I do not mind anyone becoming the next prime minister, even if (he is) Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, so be it,” he told The Vibes.
He said if the government changes before its term ends naturally, it can only be the work of greedy politicians, pointing to Perikatan Nasional leaders who took over in February last year at the start of the pandemic.
“Whatever it is, the politicians are making things complicated. They are gambling with our lives. No matter who takes power, the most important thing is to deal with the crisis; they need to end Covid-19.”
Quantity surveyor Fabian Chin, 43, said it is high time that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his government resign to make way for a new administration.
It has been more than a year since PN took over Putrajaya, but it has failed to deal with the most pertinent issue – the pandemic, he added.
“Instead, they (ministers) focused on spending billions of taxpayer money on dealing with the pandemic. Where has that come to? The (Covid-19) cases are still on the rise.”
He said anyone can be the prime minister, especially leaders from Sabah or Sarawak.
“I do not want Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob because I do not trust an Umno man.
“Not Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Gua Musang MP) or Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Langkawi MP) either, they are recycled and old.
“Maybe Warisan leader Shafie or anyone from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (as they) are untested and should be given a chance.”
Ronald Francis, 38, said changing the prime minister during a health crisis is not right, and unethical.
When asked who he thinks is the best bet to fill the seat, Francis said either Shafie or opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He also agreed that Razaleigh and Dr Mahathir are too old, saying that the country needs a young and energetic leader to pull it out of the current crisis.
“There is no denying that PN has failed, but it has some good points, like the fast inoculation exercise right now.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Bersih, 52, has mixed emotions over the supposed resignation of Muhyiddin.
He said the current government has failed to deal with the issues plaguing the country, adding that this is compounded by the Muhyiddin’s lack of vision to administer.
“Yes, practically, he failed. As a replacement, I would want to see Shafie make history and become the first East Malaysian prime minister for Malaysia.”
Retiree Chan Foong Chu, 69, said she is glad that Muyhiddin has decided to step down, but hopes that the country does not go into polls due to the climb in Covid-19 cases.
“I do not know anyone who should be prime minister now, but I hope whoever it is will stop all political turmoil and focus on fighting the pandemic.
“I think Muhyiddin tried his best to curb the virus, but he did not deserve to be the prime minister in the first place, so he has to go.”
On the other hand, Noorasvilla Muhammad said she is disappointed that Muhyiddin has decided to resign, saying the latter has been genuine in his work.
“He calls himself ‘Abah’, and I think it suits him. He gives off the vibe of a father and makes Malaysians feel like he is a father who is taking care of us.
I feel very sad that he will resign. (A lot of) my peers feel the same way that Muhyiddin is unlike other prime ministers. He has shown that he truly cares for the people.
“I have no idea who will be the next leader, but I do not think that Anwar or (Datuk Seri Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi will make good prime ministers,” said the 35-year-old clerk.
Housewife Ryanney Yusof, 31, said of all the prime ministers, Muyhiddin faced the hardest challenge.
It is hard to say that he has failed as a prime minister given that he came to power during a pandemic, while others never faced similar difficulties, she added.
“I am angry at Umno and other parties that have been urging him to step down. What the country needs right now is political stability, changing the prime minister during our war against Covid-19 is just absurd.
“I feel bad for Muhyiddin for having to step down because of this.” – The Vibes, August 16, 2021
Additional reporting by Rebecca Chong
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