'Muhyiddin’s announcement a plot twist to divert people's attention' - Expert
SHAH ALAM - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announcing that he will not defend his position as the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president next year is seen as a political gimmick to cover the up the party’s weakness.
This was because the statement was quickly retracted the next day.
Universiti Malaya Political Science Public Administration and Development Studies Department lecturer Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said that the action was made to divert attention from the crisis of trust that hit Bersatu following the four MPs who had pledged their trust in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The four MPs were Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli).
"Although Muhyiddin denied that his announcement was just a political gimmick, for me it was just a plot twist to divert the people's attention from the issue of the four Bersatu MPs who are now expressing open support for the opposition (the Prime Minister and the Federal Government).
"I see that the political gimmick that Muhyiddin did not only failed, but opened another circle and weakness that he made a U-turn after discussing with his wife, not because of the insistence of the Bersatu leadership or the decision of the party's Annual General Meeting,” he told Sinar Premium.
Tawfik said Muhyiddin's statement also gave the impression that he led Bersatu at the order of his wife, just like the accusations made by certain parties against former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was once accused of being a puppet of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
"If it is true that Muhyiddin received advice from his wife, he does not need to state it openly because that act creates various negative perceptions and speculations about the role of his partner in every political scheme made by the Pagoh MP.
"As party president, Muhyiddin should make his own decisions and statements without being influenced by any other party," he said.
He said that the action was important to show Muhyiddin a leader who has strong principles and identity and is capable of facing various challenges ahead in leading a political organisation.
He said Bersatu needed to be led by a more authoritative figure and a new face who could take the party to a better level than it is now.
However, Tawfik insisted that he did not see the right body and able to take over Muhyiddin's role and responsibilities as the current Bersatu President including Hulu Kelang state assembly member, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Bersatu Secretary-General Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.
"Azmin lost his strength and voice in Bersatu when he and 10 PN candidates who are said to be close to him lost in GE15 while Hamzah is an old face who does not have a strong leadership aura like Muhyiddin.
"Thus, I see that Bersatu lacks a credible candidate to be appointed as party president if Muhyiddin really resigns," he said.
