The biggest government component party, UMNO, just issued a long goodbye to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. But there is no mention of the party leaving the Perikatan Nasional government.
With UMNO issuing a 10 points document last night, it is clear the party is trying to settle a grudge against the PM.
Not in one instance did the UMNO leaders mention they are leaving the PN government. Hence, at this moment, the PN government is still in place.
What UMNO wants is clear: Muhyiddin Yassin must resign immediately and a new PM should replace him. The document also mentions the party will not support a government headed by Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition leader.
UMNO as the largest single party in the government may claim the post of Prime Minister if it has the support of the PN coalition.
Unless it is also fishing for support from other parties, outside PN, to appoint a UMNO member as the new PM. Nevertheless, it was a very long goodbye letter issued by Umno’s Supreme Council.
The letter also lists down what UMNO calls the seven failures of the Muhyiddin government. The party imposed two main guidelines in its support of the PM. They are:
The government must deliver according to the aspirations of the people.
The government should immediately address the economic slowdown and draw up an effective action plan to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Umno believes the Prime Minister failed in both.
“Fulfilling the unanimous mandate of the delegates at the UMNO 2020 General Assembly and based on the 7 failures of the Government to meet the aspirations of the people as outlined, support to Tan Sri Dato ‘Haji Muhyiddin bin Haji Mohd Yasin as Prime Minister is WITHDRAWN and ENDED immediately,” the statement says.
INTERIM PM
Therefore, UMNO urges Muhyiddin, ”to resign honourably” and make way for an interim Prime Minister.
The new Prime Minister’s term will only focus on the welfare of the people throughout the pandemic. He has to address Covid-19 with “an inclusive approach”.
The new Prime Minister will also ensure the expedition of the vaccination and immunization process.
After the pandemic is under full control, the interim PM should call for elections.
