Muhyiddin failed even before Umno pulled plug on leadership, say analysts

KUALA LUMPUR — Mr Muhyiddin Yassin had failed as prime minister even before Umno ended support for the leader, analysts said.

They told The Malaysian Insight that Mr Muhyiddin had failed to deliver on the Conference of Rulers’ order for an effective response to the Covid-19 epidemic and that he had also failed to provide a stable government after taking over the helm in March last year.

They said the numerous movement control orders (MCO) that had brought the people to their knees were enough to doom the Perikatan government to ignominy.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommuddin Bakar said the Muhyiddin administration had failed in every way.

“The emergency (he advised the king to declare) did not see a drop in Covid-19 cases. As a result, the people were confined indoors for a long time, losing their income and facing various other problems,” he said.

He said Mr Muhyiddin was depending on the emergency rule to stay in power but the government will only last the next Parliament meeting.

Mr Muhyiddin had failed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Conference of Rulers who had expected a stable government capable of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.

The rulers have since informed the Muhyiddin administration that the emergency should not be extended beyond Aug 1.

In addition, the rulers recommended that red tape be reduced to speed up vaccination and achieve herd immunity as soon as possible.

Mr Hisomuddin said Mr Muhyiddin was likely to try to gain support ahead of the parliament sitting on July 25.

“He can use the time until the July 25 sitting to negotiate with other MPs. There is still room for Muhyiddin to formulate a strategy and renegotiate with Umno to overcome this crisis,” he said.

Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi from Universiti Malaya said the Agong had been compelled to reprimand the prime minister even before Umno decided to remove its support.

“Muhyiddin’s government was underperforming and weak so much so the Agong had to speak up in the interest of the people,” he said.

He said Umno had taken the Agong’s order as a chance to pile pressure on Muhyiddin.

“The Agong said to lower Covid-19 cases. We expected Muhyiddin to speed up a parliamentary sitting but what he did instead was to announce the appointment of a deputy prime minister astounded the public. With the Covid-19 situation getting worse, and the Agong’s order (to call for Parliament) ignored thrice, Umno decided to take the chance to urge Muhyiddin to step down,” said Awang Azman.

Last Wednesday (July 7), Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared his party would no longer back Mr Muhyiddin with immediate effect.

Mr Zahid said the Perikatan Nasional government had failed to meet Umno’s conditions for its support which were presented to Muhyiddin on March 11, 2020.

“That was the pre-agreement for Umno to support Muhyiddin’s government.”

Umno has 38 seats in the Dewan Rakyat. Other Barisan Nasional component parties have four more — the Malaysian Chinese Association two and Malaysian Indian Congress

and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah one each.

There are nine Umno ministers in Mr Muhyiddin’s cabinet. Eight more party members serve as deputy ministers.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) academic Ahmad Martadha Mohamed said ultimately, the Conference of Rulers could do no more than advise the prime minister.

“Even the Conference of Rulers can’t do anything because they have to follow the constitution. Whatever the issue is, whether Umno withdraws support or the rulers are not satisfied with his performance, if the prime minister has a simple majority, he is still the prime minister and cannot be overthrown,” Professor Martadha said.

“The constitution clearly states… if the person has the support of a simple majority he is the Prime Minister.” THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT