Betrayal, treachery, ‘unrequited romance’: what next in Malaysian politics?

Recriminations and charges of ‘traitor’ have been coming thick and fast from the camp of ousted prime minister Mahathir Mohamad

His replacement Muhyiddin Yassin now faces a rocky road ahead as he seeks to quickly establish his government’s legitimacy amid formidable opposition

Reading Time:6 minutes

Malaysia’s then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, pictured with his successor Muhyiddin Yassin when the two were allies in 2018. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:30am, 7 Mar 2020Updated: 8:30am, 7 Mar 2020

Speaking to Malaysia’s 32 million people for the first time as prime minister this week, Muhyiddin Yassin sought to press home a key message: the mantle of national leadership was thrust upon him, he had not actively set out to oust the country’s grand old man of politics.

The 72-year-old leader stressed that he accepted the royal directive for him to succeed Mahathir Mohamad only as a means to end the political storm engulfing the country.

“I did not covet the post... I know you are all angry with me. And as I expected, I’ve been called a traitor by certain people,” Muhyiddin said in a televised address on Tuesday, in which he spoke Malay. “I am not a traitor. I am here to save our country from any form of crisis.”

For some insiders, these comments directly addressing the accusations of treachery were the most noteworthy part of the 12-minute speech in which Muhyiddin – until now an under-the-radar political operator – also sought to outline his administrative credentials and promised to be a “prime minister for all Malaysians”.

Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Photo: AFP

A well-placed source who had a ringside seat to the political turmoil that began late last month said the newly minted leader’s remarks showed the “traitor” label was striking a raw nerve as he contemplates the rocky road ahead for his fledgling Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) government.

Muhyiddin this week pushed back a parliamentary sitting that had been scheduled for March 9 by more than two months. Mahathir and his allies – who claim they and not Muhyiddin have the backing of the majority of parliament – have vowed to move a vote of no-confidence in the administration when lawmakers convene on May 18. If that happens, a snap election may be called.