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Malaysia’s political turmoil: Najib warns Umno preserving Muhyiddin pact could spell election defeat
- Najib’s comments came after Umno decided on Monday to continue backing the ruling Perikatan Nasional government, despite members’ reservations
- PM Muhyiddin recently failed in his bid to have a state of emergency declared and faces a looming test of confidence in parliament with his impending budget
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Tashny Sukumaranin Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia’s political uncertainty continued on Tuesday as scandal-tainted former leader Najib Razak warned his party, the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), that it risks defeat at the next elections if it continues to cooperate with current prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Najib, who is appealing a 12-year jail term a court handed him in July for corruption and abuse of power, shared his concerns that the party would be criticised for collective government decisions and gaffes, despite none of its members holding senior cabinet roles.
He said in a lengthy Facebook post that he was “worried that the temporary power and position that is being shared and being enjoyed by Umno … in government will cause a worse defeat in the 15th general election”.
Najib’s comments came after Umno decided on Monday to continue backing the ruling Perikatan Nasional government for now, despite disgruntlement over Muhyiddin’s abortive attempt to have a national emergency declared, which would have allowed him to rule by decree indefinitely.
The proposal – ostensibly made with the country’s worsening Covid-19 situation in mind – was seen by critics as an excuse to stave off a possible defeat of the government’s budget proposal that is expected to be introduced in parliament next week.
Muhyiddin’s failure to win the house’s approval on the budget would be a vote of no-confidence against him, which in turn could trigger an election.
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