May 18 What S The Option For Tsmy

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ITS a bit weird when Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal wanted to propose a vote of confidence in favor of Dr Mahathir when the Dewan Rakyat convenes on Monday, May 18. Never in our history that such a vote had been pushed to unseat a legitimate government as to pave a passage for an 'Opposition Member of Parliament' to take over.

Even though it was rejected by the Speaker, the scenario will take a bad turn. Worse still is to re-install Dr M - the former 4th and 7th prime minister - to power again after his Pakatan Harapan-DAP-led Cabinet was deposed 'technically' about two months ago.

Let's contemplate. The one-day sitting is expected to be in chaos. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will of course defend his No.1 position and avoid our history book to slot him as the shortest PM in power. However, he is in rickety since his Bersatu party is also well-split in the Parliament as government backbenchers and the Opposition.

Where on earth had any country seen MPs of the same party are well represented on both sides in the Parliament?

I don't care about numbers here. To me, the rakyat is feeling comfortable with Muhyiddin or TSMY. They were well-cheated under PH regime when Dr Mahathir often used 'we have no money' anecdote to deny the public of their bread and butter assistance. His government was also slow in making decision about Covid-19 pandemic by allowing foreigners, especially from China to enter Malaysia on the ground that 'they bring in money'.

TSMY handles the pandemic issue well. Since appointed by the King on February 29, he wasted no time over the pandemic issue. His Economic Stimulus Package amounting to RM260 billion on April 27 (the highest in the region) has and is helping the rakyat to waver the impact of nationwide 'shutdown' since March 18 as an effort to contain the pandemic, something that PH had never thought before.

However, TSMY position as prime minister hinges on support from UMNO, PAS and Barisan Nasional. Without a so-called MPs collaboration on Feb 28 he wouldn't rise to the seat. I remember his televised maiden speech on March 1, he forgot to say a little thanks to UMNO, PAS or even BN, something which many believe was on the advise of his inner circle. That's quite a stuck up but its already behind.

Now, what will happen on May 18?

Speculations are rife that he will face strong challenges from Mahathir and the rest of Bersatu-Opposition MPs on his collaboration with former Opposition UMNO, PAS and BN. On this matter, TSMY must realise that in order to stay put as PM, he will have to sit down again with UMNO president Zahid Hamidi, PAS president Hadi Awang and MCA and MIC bosses.

Although the Cabinet comes in the form of MPs understanding, he needs their strong support again. Should any of UMNO and PAS MPs withdraw their support, that will spell disaster for Muhyiddin and his team.

So, what's his choice?

In my argument, UMNO as the largest participant of his Perikatan Nasional government will not sign anything on becoming a component of PN. No way. UMNO's strong ally now, besides MCA and MIC, is PAS under their Muafakat Nasional cemented in September last year.

Their partnership in MN plus strong collaboration with BN have resulted in astonishing results in five by-elections, namely Cameron Highlands, Semenyih, Rantau, Tanjung Piai and Kimanis. It demonstrated how much the voters are now blase with Pakatan Harapan a la 'politburo' regime. Do they want Mahathir and DAP to come back? I dont think so.

The rakyat is (I believe) is falling for TSMY since his fast action on Covid-19 and the stimulus package. The package itself has proven how much PH has lied about the country's 'no money' situation. Some even asked why the hell did they took loan from a few countries and sold off many entities when our financial status is strong?

It seems that Zahid and Hadi hold the answer to TSMY position now. UMNO is not a participant of the government, it was only on MPs joint-venture, as Zahid had said it many times. And I dont think TSMY is sincere with whatever promises he made to UMNO and PAS.

And maybe... I say maybe the best option for Muhyiddin is to dissolve his Bersatu and re-join UMNO again or possibly MN. Will he? Nonetheless, its only my prophecy although MN will he his best option.

So, we wait...

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