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KUALA LUMPUR – Beleaguered Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was expected to have the fight of his life to secure passage of the 2021 Budget this week, amid persistent attacks on what is the thinnest parliamentary majority in Malaysian history.
But whether the chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia still retains the support of the 113 MPs, from the 222-member parliament, who make up the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) pact seems moot for now, and it is unlikely that federal lawmakers will challenge the call. of the Palace to ensure that public spending is approved to combat the plague of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, it is only a temporary lifeline for Tan Sri Muhyiddin, as discontent in his greatest ally, Umno, has even led the party to flirt with the hated nemesis Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition leader who has repeatedly asserted in recent weeks you have the numbers to take over. the first Minister.
Ironically, despite PN leaders being blamed for record Covid-19 infections linked to the Sept. 26 elections in Sabah that resulted from a coup attempt in the easternmost state, it is this very outbreak. the one who has given the prime minister a free budget pass. I vote on the back of last month’s political mess.
The cabinet made the decision to request emergency powers last week (October 23), which would allow the suspension of Parliament, to combat the wave of Covid-19 cases and postpone a by-election in Batu Sapi, Sabah in December, too. such as the Sarawak state elections scheduled for mid-2021. A national vote is also looming in the event the government collapses from failing to approve the spending.
While the Malaysian king refused to accept an emergency, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah softened the blow by twice asking MPs to back the budget to ensure the battle against the deadly virus remains well funded. The nine hereditary state rulers of Malaysia who take turns being the supreme ruler of the federation are revered and, despite being constitutional monarchs, their statements are widely interpreted as decrees.
“If the emergency was meant to avoid defeat on a supply bill and possible snap elections, then the actual pressure has almost the same effect, albeit with some embarrassment for the prime minister,” the director told The Straits Times. Asia Eurasia Group, Risk Consultants, Peter Mumford.
Parliament meets again on Monday for six weeks, and the 2021 budget will be presented on Friday. More than two dozen motions of confidence have also been filed, but they are unlikely to see the light of day as the President will prioritize government business.
The biggest threat to Muhyiddin comes from outside the legislature, with Umno wanting to correct what he believes to be an unfair distribution of the spoils of power. Otherwise, he would rather go to the polls, believing that the tides that led to his unprecedented defeat in 2018 have not only ebbed, but are now flowing in his favor.
Political experts say Umno’s list of demands includes a cabinet reshuffle that grants them the post of deputy prime minister and key portfolios, and the formation of a presidential council of PN chiefs to consult important decisions before they are adopted. as government policy.
But official sources told ST that Bersatu leaders are resisting a cabinet shakeup, although they are ready for a presidential council, as agreeing would mean “we will continue to have to give in to threats.”
For now, the once dominant Malaysian party has no choice but to work within the framework of the NP to avoid being blamed for triggering snap elections that could exacerbate the surge in Covid-19 cases, which have more than doubled in just October.
Umno has insisted that advance polls should be conducted to end political uncertainty once Covid-19 infections are minimized, but ST learned that a bipartisan committee is looking into a possible trust and supply agreement that would ensure that Muhyiddin stay in power.
Lawmakers involved in the talks said the terms are still being negotiated, but it could mean propping up the prime minister until just before Parliament’s term ends in 2023. Umno’s stance could shorten or ruin the deal, or the party may end up excluding its 39 deputies from the agreement.
If discussions collapse, all bets are off after the scheduled debate on Budget 2021 ends on December 10, especially if the virus outbreak is back under control. For this reason, Muhyiddin will still have to exercise caution and ensure a budget that is politically tight.
You will also have to weigh your options on how to handle Umno.
The prime minister will have to bet on which option will increase his chances of another term in power: anger Umno or give up some of Bersatu’s control over government resources, ostensibly to buy time for his three-year-old party to prepare for the elections and increase the probability of a firm electoral pact with the allies of the PN.
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