Was Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin Horse Trading During MCO To Safe His face?

8th June 2020 marked Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s 100 days as 8th Prime Minister and to date, he has announced another RM35 billion for Malaysians under his Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) last Friday. And earlier on 7 June, he announced the recovery phase of the MCO or RMCO beginning 10 June until 31 August 2020, in replacement of the CMCO that ended on 9 June. Although Penjana was announced to win the hearts of most Malaysians, once again, it did not receive the approval of the Parliament just like the previous Prihatin package.

Malaysia also witnessed continued horse trading carried out by Muhyiddin Yassin, with ex-PKR MP for Lubok Antu, Jugah anak Muyang and Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal pledging their support to him as a tit-for-tat action after the resignation of deputy Works Minister, Datuk Shahruddin Md Salleh, who now pledges support for Pakatan Harapan (PH). The plot thickened after it was rumoured that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, Women and Family Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun and another Minister was expected to follow Shahruddin Md Salleh’s footsteps.

These desperate moves by Muhyiddin Yassin amplifies the lack of confidence and support he has in the Parliament, which has stopped him from passing a comprehensive amendment to the Supply Bill to thoroughly combat the serious economic crisis the country is facing. As Prime Minister, he is battling for power, position and influence using all available means and nothing beats the most ‘magical’ one that is "cash is king". He is trying his best to shower the people with the financial incentives to make the impression that he is their saviour at this critical period of the pandemic. Well this is nothing compared to the worry the frontliners have under RMCO that allows more sectors to reopen and state-crossings by Malaysians beginning 10 June. This worry is substantial as no vaccine has yet to be discovered. Imagine the risks to most Malaysians who will be travelling domestically just like the days before the MCO was initiated. These are the risks that Muhyiddin Yassin is willing to put Malaysians into just to make them side him. Surprisingly, the Parliament sitting’s date has not been changed despite his announcement of RMCO. It doesn't take a political scientist to figure out that he is still building up his number of MPs before the July sitting.

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