I TOTALLY concur with the quick decision by Pakatan Haparan (PH) that they would not accept the open bribery by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to remain in office.
I was right in saying from the beginning that Muhyiddin never had the majority right from the days of the ‘Sheraton Move’.
For the last one year or so, he merely pretended that he had the majority when in reality he has never had it.
The Emergency Rule was imposed not to stem the tide of the pandemic but to prolong the stay of Muhyiddin’s illegitimate Government.
However, his pretensions and excuses for staying in power has come to complete naught.
After the 14 Umno MPs withdrew their support, Muhyiddin has no choice or room to manoeuvre.
All the stunts and political drama enacted by Ismail Sabri have fizzled in the attempt to establish majority.
Muhyiddin has now openly admitted that he has lost the majority and sought a bi-partisan support on the basis of few concessions to the opposition such as increased allocations, the promise of the passage of the anti-hopping legislation and to call for a general election in July 2022.
The man behind the bold ‘Sheraton Move’ has been reduced to tatters to the extent of asking the opposition to give him a second chance.
His inducement for a bipartisan support might have endeared him to some in the Opposition.
There might be a possibility that Muhyiddin should be given a chance to take measures against the pandemic and most importantly prevent the kleptocrats from UMNO from seizing power.
The question of a second chance to be given to Muhyiddin does not rise at all when he was the principal person who systematically and diabolically undermined the PH Government.
Did Muhyiddin offer a second chance to the very Government that gave him power and position?
In fact, he wasted no time in the removal of the PH Government precipitated by the resignation of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed.
Whether the kleptocrats in Umno can come to power remains to be seen. But with their past misdeeds relating to corruption, financial scandals and impending court cases, it is difficult to see the political party bouncing back.
Things are fluid at the moment to draw up any kind of firm conclusions. As they say, politics is the art of possibilities.
After all, unthinkable political alliances could result in the formation of a new government.
It is not that Malaysians does not have choices or options. It is just that the options have to creatively thought in order effect possible outcomes.
The best or the only option for Muhyiddin is to admit that he has no majority and tend his resignation to make a graceful exit.
He created the mess, so he must end it.
At least Muhyiddin can retire to relish the thought that he was definitely not the worst prime minister Malaysia ever had. There is no necessity for Muhyiddin to make a last-ditch effort to prolong his stay in office.
Why delay with inducements to the Opposition?
I don’t think that the Opposition would be fooled this time around by the ‘Sheratocrats’ (those behind the Sheraton Move).
Malaysians cannot be presented a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea, that is between the ‘Sheratocrats’ and the ‘kleptocrats’.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is keen to settle the political question with the necessary constitutional powers to choose a leader who could become next prime minister.
In this case, a leader with the support of the majority might be the natural choice. It doesn’t have to be someone from either the ‘Sheratocrats’ or the ‘kleptocrats’.
PH can still aspire for power with their sizable number with the addition of others who are willing to cooperate to oust the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Government once and for all.
The message is simple: There is no reason for Muhyiddin to dilly dally thinking that he would get the support from the Opposition or any others.
Even the mosquito party Pejuang has taken a strong stand against Muhyiddin not because he has lost the majority but hoping that there is an window of opportunity for its chairman, Mahathir to become the prime minister for the third time.
Anyway, there is no end to the “madness” in Malaysian politics. – Aug 15, 2021
Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
