Election might be a good idea, Muhyiddin says in jibe at PM

National Recovery Council (MPN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin today questioned Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's management of the country in the wake of the current social and economic challenges, suggesting that it might be better for the general election to be held in order for a new government to be sworn in.

In a Facebook post, he spoke of a December 2021 study by the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research, showing that 12% of the people had begun to skip meals while another 12% had put off medical treatment and 31% were behind on their bills. 

Muhyiddin, who is chairman of the Perikatan Nasional coalition, also referred to another study by research firm Mindshare showing that 61% of Malaysians had fallen in the B60 category with household incomes of less than RM5,000 a month after the onset of Covid-19. 

"The fall in ringgit value, the rise in inflation, and the post-pandemic situation have had a negative impact on people's lives," he said. 

As MPN chairman, he added, he had spoken of his concerns and raised a number of suggestions to the government including the reintroduction of a moratorium for SMEs. 

"Each time the MPN meets, the issue of labour shortage is raised many times and brought to the Cabinet," he said. 

"But until now, there has yet to be a comprehensive solution for this problem. 

"The ringgit depreciation is not taken seriously, either. The prime minister has not appeared to explain the measures that the government will take to stem the fall in the ringgit value. 

"In fact, it is said that this is not a big problem. It is said that Malaysia is not in a crisis. As if everything is okay.

"But I know that everything is not okay out there." 

Muhyiddin also cited Malaysia's import of food products which last year exceeded RM63 billion in value. 

"If the value of the ringgit continues to fall, the price of food items will become more expensive," he said. 

"Is this okay? No, it is not okay. It looks like the prime minister does not view all of these issues as matters of importance." 

Meanwhile, he said, Barisan Nasional was pressuring Ismail to dissolve Parliament as quickly as possible in order to pave the way for the 15th general election.

"I have not yet reached the level of wanting to urge the prime minister to dissolve Parliament," he said. 

"But I, too, am thinking – if the prime minister continues to fail to manage the economy and the country well, it would be good to hold an election so that a new government that is more efficient, caring and free from corruption can be elected by the people."