It was betrayal of the people, says Muhyiddin

 

Muhyddin Yassin  holding his final press conference with senior editors after he had announced his resignation. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Outgoing prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that the moves that “forced” him to resign were not a betrayal towards him – but a betrayal towards the country and the people who are suffering.

“Think about it, if they had something on their conscience, they would not celebrate it, because toppling me and my government while we are trying to do good to save and protect lives and livelihoods is not an honourable act,” he said.

“There were signs that made me think that it was done by certain parties for a specific purpose, but I do not want to make a statement that can be dragged to court. This political fact, I admit, may have such an effect, maybe their ambitions will succeed, but it’s okay, I accept it as fate,” he told senior media editors after announcing his resignation yesterday.

Nevertheless, Muhyiddin also expressed hope that the new government would continue ensuring the wellbeing of the people amid Covid-19.

“The system we have built in the country is well secured, please maintain good relations and help the people…the government’s allocation in the budget must be spent, don’t let the people feel that they are being left out,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

“I also hope the new government will continue our (existing) efforts and proceed with other steps that must be taken for the wellbeing of the people and the country,” he said, adding that he prayed that Malaysia could rise rapidly again so the people’s lives could return to normal soon.

Muhyiddin pledged that even though he was no longer the prime minister, the tagline Kerajaan Prihatin (Caring Government) would stay with him and his friends from the previous Perikatan Nasional government.

“The fact is I am no longer the prime minister, but I still care and will continue going to the ground (to meet the people) … because I know there is data showing that the poor in the country are increasing in number and this is very challenging,” he said.

On the performance assessment of the PN government, he said it did not fail but instead had done well as admitted by many based on the efforts carried out in handling the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I think that my government has delivered…many people say we did. Managing Covid-19 was not easy. I think we have saved millions of lives. Yes, a few thousand died and people will always look at that, but now they have also recognised that we have saved millions of lives and that we have done it to the fullest,” he said.

Muhyiddin said he can now breathe a sigh of relief for having done what he should have done to help the people in facing the pandemic.

“Of course some may ask how I feel, whether I’m sad (about having to resign). To a certain extent, I think I could have done more if only I were still around as prime minister. I want to finish the thing and see to the very end what we have started, although I am exhausted and tired. I know my team and the civil servants worked hard,” he said.

Muhyiddin also expressed hope that even without him and his Cabinet, the government officials would continue carrying out the task of helping the people to fight Covid-19, which he said has now shown some improvement.

“I have met with the senior civil servants, the armed forces, the police and the attorney-general and discussed matters after I resigned as prime minister. They have promised to continue to help until the Covid-19 pandemic is over. I hope it will continue to be the focus and never be ignored.

“I feel responsible when I read about death and suicide cases. I don’t like that sort of thing on my shoulder, but as prime minister, I have to bear with it,” he said.

He also hoped that the new government would continue the recovery process, especially the existing recovery plan even though it would take some time.

Muhyiddin said he was aware that many had wanted this “Abah” to stay and not resign (as prime minister) but unfortunately, their wishes could not be granted.

“Many asked me to stay, saying Abah please don’t resign, we love you, and so on. It’s very touching, I wish I could do that but under the parliamentary democracy, the post of Prime Minister is based on the provision in the Constitution. I took an oath…that I will uphold the country’s Constitution, the constitutional monarchy and so on,” he said.

Muhyiddin said he had performed all his duties in accordance with what was stipulated in the Constitution, including the provision which requires him to resign when he no longer has the majority support in Parliament.

“It’s all politics. If the MPs care about the fate of the people during this tough time when many are affected by the pandemic and become poor, they would know that this is not the time for politics but to focus on saving lives and helping the people.

“If only they had taken that into account, they would not have acted like this,” he said. - FMT