‘Muhyiddin sidelined in favour of others’
KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan’s decision in naming Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its prime minister-elect has turned Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PP BM) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin into a non-entity.
Universiti Utara Malaysia political analyst Dr Muhammad Fuad O th man said although Muhyiddin possessed the qualities of a prime minister, he was sidelined in favour of other, more famous, personalities.
Fuad said the Pagoh member of parliament did carry as much clout as Dr Mahathir, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Anwar’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
“Muhyiddin’s name does carry some weight because he was the country’s deputy prime minister (from 2009 to 2015).
“But, if you compare him to Dr Mahathir, Anwar or even Dr Wan Azizah, Muhyiddin will be pushed aside because the other three leaders hold more influence.
“Unlike those three figures, Muhyiddin does not have enough calibre to move the masses,” he said yesterday.
Fuad said this was why Muhyiddin’s name was not in the picture when Pakatan Harapan announced its prime ministerial candidate on Sunday.
The opposition coalition had named Dr Mahathir as i ts prime minister of choice, while Dr Wan Azizah would be his deputy if Pakatan won the general election.
Fuad, however, said the opposition might have a trick up its sleeve regarding Muhyiddin’s role in a Pakatan Harapan-led Federal Government.
“We may not see the strategy now but they may have something. Or maybe it’s just because they (the opposition) feel that Muhyiddin’s name is not big enough to gain the people’s support,” he said.