Muhyiddin ready for ‘one-man show’ as caretaker PM

Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday said that he would act as the caretaker prime minister as consented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“It is an honourable task and I will carry out the duties of caretaker prime minister to help the country,” he said at a meeting with senior media editors at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Muhyiddin, who tendered his resignation to the king yesterday, said he would shoulder the responsibility and that he hoped his successor would be appointed as soon as possible.

He said when the Agong asked him to act as caretaker prime minister, he had immediately referred to the Attorney-General Idrus Harun regarding the job scope.

“I sought the opinion of the attorney-general and he said that I could exercise the executive functions and advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong until a new prime minister is appointed,” he said.

When asked whether his former Cabinet would be retained as a caretaker Cabinet, Muhyiddin said as far as he was concerned, he would be the one running the show.

“It’s a one-man show,” he said jokingly.

On his responsibilities and power as caretaker prime minister, Muhyiddin said there would definitely be a limit compared to the power he had before.

“For instance, now I cannot sign a RM1 billion cheque. I have to refer and follow the advice of the attorney-general,” he said.