Muhyiddin ‘buying time with motion to replace speaker’

• MUHYIDDIN Yassin has had a tough time since becoming prime minister in Mar 20.
• If it were not for the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic repercussions, the 73-year-old Bersatu president would have had to face questions about the support he has from MPs.
• In May 20, Muhyiddin preempted Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s attempt to table a no-confidence motion in the Dewan Rakyat by changing the agenda at the last minute and replacing house secretary Riduan Rahmat.
• It came as a surprise when he submitted a motion to replace Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Yusoff and Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming on 26 Jun 20.
• While Nga’s partiality could be called into question as he is a DAP leader and MP for Teluk Intan, Ariff is a retired judge and has been lauded by both sides for making parliamentary reforms since coming to office in 2018.
• “This is an attempt to show he does have a majority in Parliament,” said International Islamic University of Malaysia political science lecturer Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar, referring to Muhyiddin’s motion.
• “But he is taking a big political risk here as if he fails to get the majority to remove the speaker, it means that he does not command the confidence of the majority of the members of Dewan Rakyat.
• Kangar MP Noor Amin Ahmad believes that Muhyiddin is trying to buy time amid calls from PN party leaders for fresh elections. He said the Muhyiddin’s move to replace Ariff and Nga is just a way to buy more time as Bersatu is not ready for snap polls.
• “Bersatu and Azmin Ali’s team are obviously not ready to face fresh elections as they have not yet strengthened their base or finalise seat negotiations with Umno and PAS.

External Link : https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/257325