WHAT goes around comes around - this applies to everyone, including politicians.
About two months ago, Bersatu president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin urged his successor - Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to heed the voice of street protestors at the 'Turun Anwar' rally in Kuala Lumpur, not realising the same was to befall him soon.
At last night's Bersatu AGM, the same call was made for Muhyiddin - from his own party members clearly disgruntled over his leadership and constant flip-flopping.
Once strongly prioritising the Malay identity, the former prime minister is now singing a different tune. He now claims to be a leader who cares for all Malaysians.
"I once said I was Malay first. That's no longer important. I am a Malay who cares about all Malaysians," he reportedly said at a programme organised by the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP), one of PN's component parties.
Back in 2010, Muhyiddin, who was then deputy prime minister, made the controversial statement declaring himself "Malay first."
Now, he acknowledges that Perikatan Nasional (PN) it 'too Malay-Muslim' and wants to portray a more 'moderate but firm' stance.
This sudden multiracial rebranding by the opposition is not worth the wait and at 78-years-old, voters see this effort by Muhyiddin as a worthless aspiration.
The opposition can no longer pull wool over the eyes of Malaysians - it is obvious this flip-flopping is merely a miserable effort to garner more support.
Muhyiddin himself clearly stated that forming ties with non-Malay parties could help PN win as extra 15 to 22 parliamentary seats at the next GE.
“If we can avoid clashes between parties, we could add 15 to 22 seats, even with just a 3% vote swing,” he said.
The opposition is probably hoping to claw its way back into power - now holding 68 seats, another 22 would bring it to 90 - but they would still need the backing of the Bornean states.
The Pagoh MP claims that non-Malay participation had already begun within Bersatu, which has an associate wing with non-Malay members, including two who sit on the party’s Supreme Council.
The call by members at the Bersatu AGM echo loud and clear - Muhyiddin is no longer relevant, and his principles outdated.
How could a leader who is so impotent lead the party to victory, let alone lead a nation?
Nothing more to offer
PN has nothing to offer voters - Muhyiddin has flip-flopped in everything.
Back in 2023, he told the Bersatu AGM then that he will not defend his party presidency and that it was to pave the way for Bersatu future leaders to helm the party.
However, at the AGM, he was again retained as the party president.
With no clear policies in place and constant groping in the dark, the former premier should acknowledge that his time is up and stop clinging on by a thread.
He should heed the call made by his own party members and 'turun' - for the sake of his party and the nation.
Apart from calls from within Bersatu, a senior Umno leader who has since also taken a step back from active politics echoed the same sentiments.
“In politics, one must know when to call it quits. There are younger, more capable leaders out there and we must know when it is time to make way,” said the leader who preferred not to be named. - September 7, 2025
