Muhyiddin: I will not let ‘kleptocrats’ rule the country

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he will uphold his responsibility to not let the “kleptocrats” rule the country.

He said if the political upheaval is not solved soon, the government will not be able to function during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Muhyiddin said this during a special address to call for bipartisan support for the Perikatan Nasional government and him as Prime Minister on Friday (Aug 13).

“The reason I am offering these proposals is to enable the government to continue to function during this pandemic with bipartisan support in Parliament.

“At the same time, I am like all of you, with the responsibility of ensuring the kleptocrats are not allowed to rule if we this political upheaval is not solved quickly,” said Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin was most likely referring to the Umno MPs such as Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who retracted their support, as they are currently facing corruption charges in court.

He also expressed his disappointment over the MPs who retracted their support for him and the government, which started the political uncertainty.

“As a human being, I am not exempt from weaknesses, what more as a Prime Minister who has to bear a heavy responsibility to manage an extraordinary pandemic for the past one year and more.

“The support of Perikatan MPs is what put me here. My legitimacy is through the support of the majority of MPs.

“However, while my colleagues and I in the Cabinet work hard to manage the pandemic, some MPs have retracted their support. This raised doubts to my legitimacy as the PM and the Perikatan government.

“I have two choices under the Constitution - to ask the King for a dissolution and hold an election or resign,” said Muhyiddin.

He said even though resigning is the easier path, it will also mean resignation of the government.

He said this will put all current efforts such as efforts to reach herd immunity being interrupted, which would mean the lives of the people continue to be in danger from the pandemic.