THE Madani government’s top three leaders who represent a coalition of 19 political entities have a tough job to keep the country going amid call for the coalition to be dissolved.
Since yesterday (Aug 15), a video has gone viral on the social media whereby the Federal Territories’ UMNO Wanita’s division has urged Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to resign as both UMNO president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman.
UMNO grassroots are pining the blame on Zahid who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister for UMNO’s dismal performance in the recent six states elections.
Zahid’s departure may trigger yet another change of government which the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and a large segment of peace/stability-loving Malaysians are hoping to avoid.
Malaysia has thrice seen a change of PM before the unity government was proposed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) following His Majesty’s offer to Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to form the unity government but it was eventually rejected by the latter.
After setting up the unity government, the YDPA had sounded out that his wish is not having to install a new government before his term ends in January 2024.
Malaysians have had enough of the political circus caused by certain individuals who think that they can once again destabilise a government that was negotiated and installed by the YDPA.
After all, the Malaysian King in consultation with the Conference of Malay Rulers had given the mandate to Anwar to form the unity government to rule the country for the next five years.
It is also believed that the next Sultan in line, HRH Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has also expressed his support to Anwar as the country’s 10th PM.
Liability factor
Following its so-called overwhelming performance in Saturday’s (Aug 12) six states election, PN has been harping on another change of government with Muhyiddin who is also Bersatu president describing the state polls as a referendum for the resignation of Anwar and Zahid.
Just as the Madani government’s economic wheel is about to turn, dissatisfaction of UMNO grassroots towards Zahid may further cause another backlash on UMNO in the next general election slated for 2027.
In the past eight months, politicians from PN had mainly been fanning the 3R sentiments (race, religion and royalty) which will force Anwar to use the hard approach on the perpetrators regardless of their status or outcome of the state elections.
Based on the outcome from a number of seats won by the unity government, there are signs that voters were willing to vote according to the need to preserve the mandate given to the unity government.
Owing to their collaboration, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) alliance have managed to retain all the three states of Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan albeit with PN making commendable breakthroughs especially in the ‘Malay hinterland’.
Zahid had admitted that there are shortfalls in UMNO and promised to look into the weaknesses. UMNO grassroots have to understand that under the current economic climate, the nation – rather than party interest – must come first.
To change the government after it had only been given eight months to run the country will only cause foreign investors to shy away from the country which will ultimately affect the livelihood of many ordinary Malaysians – UMNO members and loyal supporters included. – Aug 16, 2023
