The Malaysian Insight

MUHYIDDIN Yassin believes the Perikatan Nasional government has done its best to save and protect Malaysians from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“But as humans, we have, nevertheless, made mistakes and I apologise for them,” said Muhyiddin in a live telecast after resigning as the eighth prime minister today. 

“I hope the new government will be formed soon so that the administration of the country continues uninterrupted as the next two months will be crucial,” said the 74-year-old who will remain as caretaker prime minister until his successor is named. 

The Bersatu chairman said that Malaysia is expected to achieve herd immunity by October. 

Muhyiddin became the shortest serving prime minister today when he resigned after losing the confidence of Dewan Rakyat. 

He took over the administration from Pakatan Harapan on March 1, 2020 after orchestrating a series of defections from PKR into his party to cause the fall of the previous government.

When he took over the government on March 1, 2020, there were only 29 Covid-19 infections with no deaths recorded. As of yesterday, the number of Covid-19 infections is above 1.4 million with 12,510 deaths. 

In his last live telecast message, Muhyiddin reminded Malaysians not to worry as the government had ordered more than 87 million Covid-19 vaccine doses. 

“If the vaccination programme goes well, all of you will get vaccinated by the end of October. 

“I hope the new government that takes over the administration of this country will take good care of all of you because it is the only thing that I care about. I care for you always,” said Muhyiddin. 

He said the signs are encouraging as the number of categories 3 and 4 Covid-19 hospital admissions in the Klang Valley have been falling recently. These are more serious cases of those infected with the virus.

“I am always thinking of Malaysians as I consider you my children. As such, I have always ensured that the government is a caring government.” 

Earlier today, Muhyiddin left Istana Negara at about 1pm after an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He arrived earlier at 12.23pm. 

He also held a morning of final meetings, first, with a group of officials at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya, at 8.30am before chairing a special cabinet meeting, his last in his 17-month tenure. 

The last two weeks has seen the Pagoh MP lose his parliamentary majority after 15 Umno MPs pulled their support. 

The Bersatu president refused to resign as prime minister, but his final attempt of an olive branch to the opposition on Friday failed, when all opposition parties rejected his offer of reforms in exchange for support. 

The 74-year-old former Umno politician became the country’s eighth prime minister in March last year after Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned as prime minister following the “Sheraton move”.

Muhyiddin had led Bersatu MPs out of PH and with support from Umno, PAS and a breakaway faction from PKR, toppled the PH government. – August 16, 2021.