Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is no longer the Prime Minister of Malaysia, however, he is the Caretaker Prime Minister until a suitable person who commands the confidence of the majority in the House of Representatives emerges, and is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Prime Minister under Article 43 (2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.
As Caretaker Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin spoke to the Malaysians. In his speech, he accused that, “there were certain power-hungry parties who wanted to take over without considering the lives and livelihood of the people”. He added, “he will never collude with those facing court cases to disturb the independence of the judiciary and violate the Federal Constitution just to remain in power.”
In fact, he had earlier made it public that there were attempts that the government should withdraw the pending criminal cases in the courts against some political leaders as a price for the numerical support he was lacking in Parliament so that he could remain in power. He did not name the party or parties or the names of the leaders who dared such a politically vulgar suggestion or bribery.
It is a brave rebuff to those who wanted to hold him to political ransom. But, what must irk the general public is the role he himself played in bringing down the Pakatan Harapan government which captured Putra Jaya in May 2018. What prompted him to join the conspirators to betray the people’s trust? Did he not publicly declare that he will never return to UMNO? Or, would his explanation be now different in that he was then talking about those persons who were involved in 1MDB scandal but not the party itself?
The ousting of Pakatan Harapan (PH) reminds us the assassination of Julius Caesar, the Roman leader, and Brutus the traitor.
It is not too late for Muhyiddin to explain what was wrong with PH partners that he found offensive prompting him to go against them? Were they or any of them corrupt? Did they, or anyone of them act contrary to the spirit of Federal Constitution? If so, identify them because he owes an answer to the people and history.
When he was drowning in the sea of conspirators’ political treachery, just before he resigned, he tried to clutch the straw to save himself by seeking cooperation with the 2018 friends whom he had conveniently abandoned in 2020. What assurance is there such betrayal will not be enacted again, especially now when not a single party has workable majority in Parliament?
If the people have not judged him by now, history will judge him, provided it is written by honest historians. There are many political experiences to be gathered from the events that had unfolded since the people’s victory in May 2018. And they could be useful for the future.
Turning to the new government, what do the Malaysians expect from it? The new government must prioritise its attention against the pandemic and it should not countenance any violation of the conditions that are in place to control, eradicate it. Speedy vaccination, and opening up the business. People must be able to return to work, earn and live with dignity.
While the efforts on the pandemic front is being geared another area which calls for attention is the disclosure of unsavoury attempts by some who had, according to Muhyiddin, tried to fix a price – a vulgar compromise, for their support to keep him in power. He should make public of their identities. It would also be proper to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate into the revelations by Muhyiddin, and if substantiated the culprits should be dealt with according to law for attempting to abet the erstwhile Prime Minister to interfere in the course of Justice, and should be treated as an offence.
Another area which has caused immense confusion and concern is party hopping. A member who was elected on a ticket of a particular party, and subsequently decides to leave that party should give up the House of Representatives membership. There should be legislation to this effect.
