[UPDATED] PN, BN sound similar, but we’re like heaven and earth: Muhyiddin

SERDANG – In name, Perikatan Nasional (PN) may sound somewhat similar to its political rival Barisan Nasional (BN), but Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin believes the two are distinct in principle.  

Speaking at the PN convention today, the coalition chairman compared the two political entities to “heaven and earth”, saying the outfit led by him is not embroiled in power abuse and corruption.

Citing a recent BN event in Selangor, Muhyiddin noted how Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had told Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz to “not take advantage, but take what you can”, ostensibly to refer to the use of public funds for campaigning.

Tengku Zafrul was appointed Selangor BN treasurer on July 31, in a move seen to shore up the coalition’s strength in the Pakatan Harapan-led state.

“This is the difference between PN and BN. I ordered the finance minister to look for funds to help the poor. But the BN chairman ordered the finance minister to take whatever is available for their own interest,” Muhyiddin said today.

“Although PN and BN sound about the same, we are so much different, like ‘langit dan bumi’ (heaven and earth). 

“I hope voters don’t make the wrong choice during the coming election. Choose PN, not BN.”

Muhyiddin said when he was the prime minister, he had issued a standing instruction to Tengku Zafrul to source for funds to be distributed to the public at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Unlike the BN-led government, the Bersatu chairman said his administration empathises with what the public was going through, and only acted for the interest of the people. 

Moving forward, he said Malaysia should have a political, cultural and government administrative ecosystem that is free from corruption. 

“This practice of ‘taking what you can’ should not be a culture in PN. 

“If we allow this culture to continue, it will not only lead to the fall of a political party but also society, country and civilisation.”

‘God entrusted me with PM post to help rakyat’

Earlier in his speech, Muhyiddin said when he was leading the nation during the pandemic period, it struck him that God had thrust him into the position of prime minister during the most difficult of times with one single mission – to help the people overcome the crisis. 

“That is why despite the barrage of political attacks against me personally, I set my mind and soul only on helping the people, steering the country clear from the Covid-19 pandemic, and reviving the economy.”

He also reiterated that his tenure in Putrajaya had been blighted with interference and pressure from certain quarters to fulfil their requests. 

While he did not specify details, Muhyiddin was clearly referring to the demands made by certain Umno leaders to interfere in their court cases. 

“I don’t need to elaborate on these political interferences. Suffice for me to say that these disturbances happened purely because I, as prime minister, did not accede to their demands. 

“If I had done so, I would have given away my moral principle for the sake of staying in power. I didn’t choose that path, because I know that is the wrong path.” – The Vibes, August 27, 2022