AS former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin launched attacks against UMNO in the upcoming Melaka state polls, the latter did not take it lying down.
This time around, its former president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took to social media to point out economic mess caused by Muhyiddin, whom he referred to as “Father of Malaysian Lockdowns”, due to the poorly planned movement control orders (MCO).
“The Government just announced Malaysia quarterly growth for 3Q 2021 and our economy dived by 4.5%,” he said.
As the campaigning heats up in Melaka, Perikatan Nasional leaders led by Muhyiddin started criticising Pakatan Harapan and UMNO’s track record in governing the country,
Muhyiddin spent most of his time taking a swipe at UMNO and its leaders, saying they were more interested in self-preservation as many of their leaders are facing corruption charges in court.
On that note, Najib said that many other countries in the region did not suffer as badly as Malaysia due to effective measures put in place to balance between lives and livelihood during the pandemic.
“Indonesia grew by 3.5%, Singapore grew by 6.5% and the Philippines economy recorded a growth of 7.1% in the same quarter.
“While economist have predicted that Thailand’s growth shrunk by -0.8%, Malaysia growth dived by 4.5%.
“This is not mere numbers and statistics but a reflection of the devastation caused on Malaysians during the period,” the former premier stressed.
Hurling brickbats at Muhyiddin, Najib said the former’s half-baked movement restrictions hurt the economy badly by keeping factories and construction sectors open during the pandemic crisis.
“But he forced small shops to close down using the among the longest lockdown periods known to the world.
“Our neighbours were also suffering from COVID-19 but we are were the most affected; in terms of infection numbers, death rate and damage to the economy.
“Not only did our ‘Father of Malaysian Lockdowns’ failed but he also refused to admit it,” the Pekan MP remarked. – Nov 13, 2021
