National Recovery Council? Kerbau beyond belief

“When a failed leader gets another chance for political expediency”

By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy



IT is a shame that former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin now heads the National Recovery Council (NRC).

I thought that the chief architect of the “Sheraton Move” had retired once and for all. All of a sudden, we hear news that he been appointed to head NRC.

His short-lived tenure as the prime minister is infamous for introducing Emergency rule, ostensibly to assist in the fight against COVID-19. It soon turned out that the Emergency measures were a farce and was more intended to prop up his administration.

There is no novelty in the approach of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He just reappointed Cabinet members from the earlier government, with some cosmetic changes.

But it never crossed my mind for a second that Muhyiddin might make a comeback in the new Government.

I thought he was politically finished! Certainly, I was disappointed with the new Government for its recycled appointments.

Apparently, he has welcomed the appointment and thanked Ismail Sabri for having confidence in his ability, promising that he will do the best for the country.

This is coming from a man who betrayed the Pakatan Harapan Government, misled the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the Emergency measures and most importantly, could not hold his Government intact for more than 16 months.

“Old wine in new bottle” taken to great lengths

Yet the new Government, in a classic old wine in the new bottle antic, still thinks and acts as though Muhyiddin with his vast experience, I mean treachery, will deliver.

As far as I am concerned, the NRC which was set up during Muhyiddin’s period was basically a public relations exercise to bring within fold certain persons who were against the administration.

It was expected that by giving them a role there, it may appease critics within his own administration.

Nevertheless, I do not think Muhyiddin’s appointment as NRC chairman has anything to do with the Malaysia’s recovery from the pandemic. Why is there a need to discuss about recovery when the pandemic has not been contained?

Even if there is a need for early recovery plans, Muhyiddin, given his dismal performance, is hardly qualified to hold the position.

The past and present leaders have failed the country miserably in not only containing the pandemic, but have not really addressed the question of corruption and financial scandals.

Malaysians are worried not because they will have nothing to contribute, but taxpayers’ money will go down the drain with these needless appointments. – Sept 9, 2021.

Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.