Muhyiddin open to ‘unity govt’ idea

By Chua Sue-Ann, The Edge Daily

Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday he was open to the idea of a national unity government as suggested by PAS if the arrangement could benefit the country.

The formation of such a government would depend on the basis and objectives of the proposal, he said when asked for his response to PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang’s call recently for a national unity government.

Muhyiddin said despite political differences between the parties, he would be receptive to suggestions which were reasonable and sincere about bringing the country out of the political turmoil.

“I am open and don’t want to dismiss anyone with good intentions but whatever happens, it has to be proposed in detail for the party’s consideration,” Muhyiddin told reporters here after a luncheon organised by the Malay Economic Council.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam had already rejected Hadi’s suggestion, calling PAS a “flip-flop” party, while PKR information chief Tian Chua said Pakatan Rakyat was generally agreeable to forming a unity government on the condition that it be helmed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Muhyiddin, who is Umno vice-president and is among three veterans vying for the deputy president’s post, added that Barisan Nasional and Umno leaders were unlikely to decline discussions on worthwhile proposals.

Meanwhile, he considered a recent survey that showed Mohd Ali leading the race for Umno’s deputy presidency as a “psychological war” or a political campaign to influence perception.

The survey conducted by Universiti Malaya’s Zentrum Future Studies Malaysia showed that Mohd Ali enjoyed the support of 54% of the 2,030 respondents, although only 163 of those surveyed were Umno general assembly delegates.

“I don’t want to challenge whatever views by certain so-called professors in certain universities. I also went to university. I can concoct many ways to show that I am winning or not winning,” Muhyiddin said.

Muhyiddin had received the most nominations for the deputy presidency with 92 endorsements from Umno divisions.

The other contenders — Mohd Ali and Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib — had received 46 and 45 nominations, respectively.

“You ask a lot of people they’ll say Muhyiddin is leading, you ask some people (they’ll say it’s) Ali Rustam, some people (say) it’s Muhammad Taib,” Muhyiddin quipped.

He said perceptions were less important than the decisions of some 2,500 delegates who would cast their votes at the Umno general assembly on March 28.

He added that he believed the delegates and public would not be easily swayed, urging the delegates to make their decision with national interest in mind as it would affect not only Umno but also the country.

“We need a person who would be able to support the national leadership and assist Najib in any possible manner. These are very challenging times both politically and economically,” Muhyiddin said.