MPs from PN and those in BN who are ‘friendly’ towards PN are likely to face fierce criticism when the Dewan Rakyat convenes, says an analyst. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs who are “friendly” towards the Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government have little choice but to toe the party line on withdrawing their support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration, says an analyst.
National Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir said the government’s decision to call for a Parliament sitting before Aug 1 highlighted the immense pressure the ruling coalition was facing.
But, he said, this pressure wasn’t just limited to PN and its leaders, who are likely to face fierce criticism in the Dewan Rakyat over the government’s handling of Covid-19 and the economy, but BN MPs who are “friendly” to PN.
Yesterday, Utusan Malaysia reported that Umno MPs were being asked to withdraw their support for the government before Aug 1.
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs who are “friendly” towards the Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government have little choice but to toe the party line on withdrawing their support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration, says an analyst.
National Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir said the government’s decision to call for a Parliament sitting before Aug 1 highlighted the immense pressure the ruling coalition was facing.
But, he said, this pressure wasn’t just limited to PN and its leaders, who are likely to face fierce criticism in the Dewan Rakyat over the government’s handling of Covid-19 and the economy, but BN MPs who are “friendly” to PN.
Yesterday, Utusan Malaysia reported that Umno MPs were being asked to withdraw their support for the government before Aug 1.
Jeniri Amir.
The report, quoting sources, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi plans to submit a motion to the party’s Supreme Council for it to retract support for the government in the near future.
Jeniri said BN MPs who refuse to toe the party line, like Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz, are at risk of being sidelined by BN and even dropped in the next general election (GE15).
Nazri, who has been critical of Zahid, yesterday backtracked on his decision to withdraw support for Muhyiddin.
“It would be very risky for any BN MP to go against the grain, but with that being said, BN or Umno in particular must think hard before rocking the boat, especially given the Covid-19 situation.
“BN has the momentum now and a good chance of winning the next general election, but if they were to rock the boat now, a lot of that momentum could be undone as people might see them as being more concerned about power than the people, ” said Jeniri.
Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said MCA and MIC will need to decide if they want to “sink or swim” with Muhyiddin or stick with long-time ally Umno.
“Anyone who does not follow the central leadership may not get the ‘surat watikah’ (letter of appointment) from the BN chairman and the help of BN’s huge machinery.
“The sentiments on the ground are very much against working with Bersatu. Those who don’t heed these grassroots sentiments, aside from not being a BN candidate, may be rejected by the people even if they stood as independents.”
The report, quoting sources, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi plans to submit a motion to the party’s Supreme Council for it to retract support for the government in the near future.
Jeniri said BN MPs who refuse to toe the party line, like Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz, are at risk of being sidelined by BN and even dropped in the next general election (GE15).
Nazri, who has been critical of Zahid, yesterday backtracked on his decision to withdraw support for Muhyiddin.
“It would be very risky for any BN MP to go against the grain, but with that being said, BN or Umno in particular must think hard before rocking the boat, especially given the Covid-19 situation.
“BN has the momentum now and a good chance of winning the next general election, but if they were to rock the boat now, a lot of that momentum could be undone as people might see them as being more concerned about power than the people, ” said Jeniri.
Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said MCA and MIC will need to decide if they want to “sink or swim” with Muhyiddin or stick with long-time ally Umno.
“Anyone who does not follow the central leadership may not get the ‘surat watikah’ (letter of appointment) from the BN chairman and the help of BN’s huge machinery.
“The sentiments on the ground are very much against working with Bersatu. Those who don’t heed these grassroots sentiments, aside from not being a BN candidate, may be rejected by the people even if they stood as independents.”
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