Change of leadership on the cards?

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PETALING JAYA: The withdrawal of support by two Umno MPs for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in January raised the spectre that the Perikatan Nasional administration could fall but the declaration of emergency put this speculation to rest.

Now, there are rumblings and murmurs of changes in the corridors of power.

Nearly six months since the emergency began on Jan 12, the question over whether Muhyiddin has majority support in Parliament is looming once more.

The prospects of a prolonged emergency and delay in reconvening Parliament appear remote. The Malay rulers have made it clear that there is no need for an extension of the emergency and that Parliament must reconvene.

Observers saw the revered rulers’ views as a response to the worsening Covid-19 situation and the pleas of the rakyat over an economy in tatters.


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Hisham will be PM’s choice if he steps down, says analyst

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will most likely name Umno leader Hishammuddin Hussein as his successor if the situation calls for it, said a veteran political analyst.

Ahmad Atory Hussain said the choice of the foreign minister as the successor made sense because he was friendly with the Bersatu leadership and could act as a “bridge of peace” between the two parties.

Azmin Ali, who is said to be one of Muhyiddin’s most trusted ministers, is however not expected to be in the shortlist as most Umno leaders are “allergic” to him and he lacks strong support from MPs, Ahmad said.

“Muhyiddin will find a way out if he feels that the people are jaded and do not want him anymore. Hishammuddin will also be nominated because Bersatu is aware that Umno has the largest presence in Parliament,” he said.

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