This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on April 20, 2020 - April 26, 2020

IN previous articles, I wrote that the prime minister’s approval ratings were at a high point.

A couple of days ago, a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) supreme council member texted me to ask, “How did you determine the PM’s approval rating?”

My conclusion was drawn not from any in-depth survey like those carried out by research firms. Rather, it was based on comments and remarks made by people on social media, especially those by the Malay community on news reports concerning Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

However, I do not discount the possibility that the so-called cybertroopers and Perikatan Nasional forces could be playing a role in shaping the pro-Muhyiddin narrative.

That notwithstanding, it is not wrong to say that Muhyiddin has his own support groups among the rakyat — and their numbers are quite substantial. That could very well be a perception, but in politics, isn’t perception everything?

Nevertheless, according to Ilham Centre CEO Azlan Zainal, the extent of the support for Muhyiddin “is still a question mark” despite his obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be prime minister.

What is revealed, as Azlan puts it, is the en bloc support given to the PM by political parties. Thus, Muhyiddin will still need the magic figure of 112 MPs to support him when Parliament sits on May 18.

Parliament, says Azlan, is the best stage for Muhyiddin to show that he does have the numbers. It seems that the Parliament sitting will be held as the prime minister himself has promised that his government will table the economic stimulus package to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for debate, as called for by many, in particular the opposition.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and his deputy Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon too have told the media that the Parliament sitting will go on as scheduled.

So, the pandemic will not be a reason to postpone proceedings. Parliament was supposed to have convened on March 9 but was postponed owing to several factors, including the fact that the Cabinet had yet to be formed.

The Muhyiddin administration had just taken over from Pakatan Harapan. Dethroned, PH had wanted to test the prime minister in Parliament but was frustrated by the postponement.

PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said recently that a vote of no confidence will not be tabled in the coming parliamentary session. (It would be interesting to know what Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has to say about this.) As a matter of fact, hours before making that statement, Anwar had met Muhyiddin for the first time since the latter became PM.

During the 45-minute meeting, it was reported that the prime minister raised issues concerning the pandemic and proposed commencing the parliamentary session on May 18.

A political observer says, “Muhyiddin appears to be hedging while Anwar’s conciliatory tone is also telling.” But conciliatory or not, Anwar was also quoted as saying, “I made it very clear the government should not use Covid-19 to say it will be secure forever.”

For now, Muhyiddin’s position is secure, but he is not about to rest on his laurels. He has taken several eyebrow-raising measures to strengthen his grip on the premiership.

One that is currently attracting a lot of attention and being hotly debated is the appointment of heads of government-linked companies (GLCs).

Says Azlan, “Appointing government MPs is part of Muhyiddin’s contingency plan to consolidate his position.”

Already, names of well-known Umno figures are being floated for certain posts. According to Azlan, the PM is trying to appease Umno leaders who are not in his Cabinet and who have been critical of his administration.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (who is also the de facto law minister) has made an open statement that all MPs will be appointed to head GLCs. His statement is seen as trying to commit the PM to appointing PAS MPs, although he did not mention his party specifically.

It is obvious that Muhyiddin faces a dilemma over how to balance between pleasing both PAS and Umno in return for their support for him to remain as PM.

According to Azlan, it is clear that Muhyiddin wants to ensure no one pulls out of supporting him. Naturally, he says, the PM must ensure that no one abandons ship.  

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