This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 3, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: In dedicating his heart and soul to the country, new Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin called on Malaysians to give him the chance to tap into his extensive experience in politics and government service to steer Malaysia to new heights.

In his maiden address to the nation entitled An Appeal to Malaysians aired on local television networks last night, he urged the people to work together with him to rebuild the country and help restore Malaysia to its former glory.

“I urge the people to lend me their undivided support, for me to fulfil the trust and carry this heavy responsibility.

“Give me the opportunity to leverage my 40 years of experience in politics and service in the government to steer Malaysia to new heights,” he said.

Muhyiddin took his oath of office as the eighth prime minister before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara on Sunday.

The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president stressed he is the prime minister for all Malaysians, from Perlis to Sabah.

“Whether you are Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sikh, Iban, Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, natives or whichever ethnic group, I am the prime minister for all.

“Whether you are a farmer, fisherman, businessman, civil servant or private sector employee, I am your prime minister,” he said.

Thus, he asked to be given time to set the direction of the government and nation.

‘I am not a traitor’

Muhyiddin said he was appointed the prime minister after receiving the majority support of members of Parliament (MPs).

“I realise my appointment was not by way of an election. Instead, I was appointed after getting the majority support of members of the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.

Muhyiddin said his appointment is a practice provided for by the Federal Constitution, complying with the principle of parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.

It is with the MPs’ support that he accepted the nomination as prime minister, he said.

“I know some people are angry with me. As expected, some quarters have labelled me a traitor. Hear me out. I am not a traitor.

“My conscience is clear that my being here is to save the nation from a prolonged crisis,” he said.

‘I did not covet the PM post’

Muhyiddin related the events of the recent political crisis leading to his appointment as the prime minister.

He said the crisis erupted after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down, leaving a vacant position that had to be filled.

“I have no intention to be confrontational with anyone. I just wish to provide a little clarification on what has actually happened, so my sincerity is not questioned.

“I did not covet the prime minister post. I only came forward to save the situation when the two candidates for prime minister did not get the majority support of members of the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.

Muhyiddin said at the outset, he and all the MPs from Bersatu gave their undivided support to Dr Mahathir as prime minister but, unfortunately, Dr Mahathir failed to garner the majority support of other MPs.

“This was explained in the statement issued by Istana Negara on Feb 28, 2020,” he said.

As such, he said, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong took the wise decision of inviting the heads of all political parties to nominate a candidate who commanded the confidence of the majority of members of the Dewan Rakyat.

Muhyiddin said it was at this time that he was nominated as prime minister by Bersatu MPs and other party chiefs believing he had the majority support.

‘I took time to think deeply before deciding’

“I took some time to think deeply before making a decision. What options did I have? Continue to support Dr Mahathir who had no majority support or accept the nomination as prime minister?” he said.

Muhyiddin said if he had continued to support Dr Mahathir, the political crisis would have prolonged and Parliament might have been dissolved for a snap election.

As a leader, he said, he had to find a solution and not allow the crisis to prolong.

“It was for that reason I met Tun Dr Mahathir, asking him to back me. At that meeting, where two party leaders were present, he stated he was prepared to do so, if I had the majority support.

“He (Dr Mahathir) stated this himself in a daily on Feb 27, 2020,” said Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin said with that support, he accepted the nomination as prime minister.

He said in accordance with Article 43 of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can appoint a prime minister who commands the confidence of the majority of members of the Dewan Rakyat.

“In accordance with this provision, His Majesty appointed me as the prime minister. It was the wisdom of His Majesty as the Head of State in discharging the duty in accordance with the Federal Constitution,” he said.

At the conclusion of his address of about 10 minutes, Muhyiddin expressed his highest gratitude to Dr Mahathir for his great service to the nation. — Bernama