This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 12, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is believed to have enough support from members of parliament (MPs) to enable him to govern the country until the 15th general election (GE15) in 2023, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Sinar Harian quoted Dr Mahathir as saying in an interview published yesterday that a vote of no confidence against Muhyiddin may not be successful due to insufficient support among MPs in Parliament.

“We (Pakatan Harapan) had 114 seats in the past but now the number is decreasing. Hence, a vote of no confidence may not be successful,” Dr Mahathir said.

Dr Mahathir said he hopes Muhyiddin will carry on with the policies he put in place during his 22-month stint as premier.

“I request, if possible, the Cabinet does not drop the good policies that we have put in place. For example, Wawasan Kemakmuran Bersama 2030 (Shared Prosperity Vision 2030).

“It is a good policy and the person who invented the policy is also in the Cabinet,” Dr Mahathir said.

Bernama reported that Muhyiddin shared with the media yesterday the contents of a letter he wrote to Dr Mahathir expressing his intention to meet with the former prime minister.

At the press conference in Putrajaya, Muhyiddin said he had indicated his readiness to meet with Dr Mahathir at any time and anywhere in the best interest of the nation.

“First of all, I prayed for the good health of Tun [Dr Mahathir] and his family. Secondly, I expressed my apology if any of the events of the last few days had hurt his feelings.

“Thirdly, I requested to meet with Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun if he had the time. However, I received his reply stating that the time had not come for a meeting,” he said.

Muhyiddin also said he wanted Dr Mahathir to endorse the new government. The prime minister said the focus now is on strengthening the Perikatan Nasional government for the benefit of the people.

“Tun said that this Cabinet will last until the next election comes. Thank you to Tun for his comment.

“People are hoping that this government will deliver and we promise that we will deliver. If you want to have a snap election, I don’t want that. This is not the right time. We are here to serve. I wish that everybody, not just Tun, gives us all the encouragement so that we do what is best for all,” he said.