Kuala Lumpur: Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has warned the unity government of a backlash in the upcoming state elections if it continues its “witch hunt” against the coalition.
The former prime minister said allegations that his administration had misappropriated funds for the management of the Covid-19 pandemic were aimed at smearing PN’s image, as the state elections draw nearer.
“Right now, they are tarnishing us by calling us thieves and pirates so that the rakyat will not support us (in the upcoming state elections),” the Pagoh MP said when debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“But I believe the PN wave that we witnessed in the 15th general election will continue to hit the country (and) those six states will be ‘levelled’.
“There will be backlash, I am warning you,” he said, referring to Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, which will hold their elections in the middle of the year.
Muhyiddin said he was merely echoing the sentiments of the rakyat, who he claimed were of the view the current government was acting maliciously towards PN.
“I feel the same as well. I have been in the government for 50 years. This is not fair. Do you think you can last forever?” he said.
‘Respect the civil service’
Muhyiddin also commented on calls for reforms to break the Malay domination in the civil service, saying such proposals appeared to be a challenge to the position of the Malays and Bumiputeras.
“(To) the YBs on the government side, what will happen to the country if you hurt the feelings of the civil servants and they refuse to work?” he asked.
Recently, Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy called for reforms to the public sector to reflect the ethnic composition of the country.
His comments were criticised even by Pakatan Harapan leaders. Subsequently, Ramasamy said his remarks had been misinterpreted.
