Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin failed to steer the country through crisis and suppressed public dissent during his tenure, yet now seeks to portray himself as a defender of democracy and the people’s voice, said the senior political secretary to the prime minister, Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin.
He described it as ironic that the same leader who once clamped down on Undi18, the Black Flag movement, and protests against the closure of Parliament now takes the rally stage championing freedom of assembly.
“The people gave him space and opportunity, but what was the outcome?
The economy deteriorated, hundreds of thousands lost their jobs, investors fled, and double standards in enforcing pandemic SOPs gave rise to the term ‘kerajaan kayangan’ (elite government),” he said in a statement today.
Shamsul noted that Muhyiddin ultimately lost his parliamentary majority and was forced to resign.
“The question is straightforward — if the people suffered under his leadership, on what basis is he now attempting to portray himself as a saviour?”
He further questioned why Muhyiddin failed to establish an inclusive and stable administration, unlike the current unity government led by Anwar Ibrahim.
“Instead, we witnessed persistent political turmoil, shifting allegiances, and frequent Cabinet reshuffles,” he said.
Commenting on the opposition rally held yesterday, Shamsul highlighted that it proceeded peacefully — with no tear gas deployed, no stages dismantled, and no heavy-handed measures taken — in stark contrast to how similar events were handled during Muhyiddin’s administration.
However, he cautioned against conflating genuine public sentiment with narrow political agendas.
“There is a clear distinction between the voice of the people and the political agenda of those seeking to drag the public into legitimising their lust for power,” he said.
He added that the unity government respects the constitutional right to assemble but stressed that such freedoms must not be abused.
“Democracy must not be held hostage to vengeance or the pursuit of power.
If Muhyiddin and his coalition believe public support has shifted, the proper avenue is through elections — not street rallies, exaggerated crowd figures, or emotional manipulation exploiting race and religion.”
Shamsul underscored that the Madani government continues to listen to the voices of ordinary citizens — fishermen, farmers, small traders, factory workers, and youth — rather than merely the amplified rhetoric on political stages.
About The Author
