As Dr M "Trains His Guns" On Muhyiddin -- Is Another Ex-PM About To "Fall"..?!!

OPINION | As Dr M "Trains His Guns" On Muhyiddin -- Is Another Ex-PM About To "Fall"..?!!


20 Dec 2025 • 1:00 PM MYT


JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour

Credit Image: Brookings.Edu / Sinar Harian.


The recent spat between two political “heavyweights” in the country may have quietly slipped under the radar, but could there be something serious brewing beneath the surface – waiting to erupt!


Critics may argue that the country's controversial ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has always had an obsession with trying to "bring down” the country's prime ministers, where the names of the late Abdullah Badawi and Najib Razak would inevitably spring to mind!


However, seemingly not content with being a constant “thorn in the flesh” to the current premier Anwar Ibrahim, has the peerless ex-statesman recently added another candidate – this time an “ex-prime minister” – to his dreaded hit-list?


For the record, last week opposition chief Muhyiddin Yassin had to come out to vehemently deny an explosive allegation purportedly made by Dr Mahathir, his former UMNO boss, that he stole party funds and hid the money at his residence!


Dismissing the claim as reckless, baseless and entirely untrue, the Bersatu president had stressed that the accusation amounted to a wild assumption, and that such a thing had never happened at any point during his tenure as the leader of the party.


Shockingly, the incident – which was made viral in a two-minute video clip on WhatsApp – was also accompanied by a caption alleging that Muhyiddin wanted to become prime minister out of fear of being imprisoned.


Nevertheless, despite the allegations, the opposition leader had reportedly said that he continues to respect Dr Mahathir as an elder and acknowledged their past cooperation; however, this latest incident is sure to have raised questions as to whether the two political icons would be able to see eye-to-eye and continue their efforts to purportedly unite the Malays.


Could this latest “attack” be a prelude to something big?


In fact, in 2022, Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying that Muhyiddin was a real “traitor” as he had gained most from the infamous Sheraton Move; this was after the latter had literally “ousted” him and took over his position as the prime minister following the collapse of the PH-led government?


Dr Mahathir had also claimed that the Bersatu president had abandoned the struggle to fight against UMNO by joining hands with “kleptocratic forces", and that he was also willing to set aside principles for political expediency.

Unsurprisingly, after Muhyiddin had become prime minister, Dr Mahathir along with four other leaders, including his son Mukhriz, were abruptly sacked from Bersatu – allegedly because the former could ill-afford another rival from within!


So finally, is it payback time?


Incidentally, this latest stinging accusation by the country's longest-serving former prime minister comes during a time when Bersatu is embroiled in serious infighting within its ranks with some of its leaders believed to have lost confidence in Muhyiddin's leadership.


Additionally, the Bersatu leader is also implicated in a high profile corruption case involving Jana Wibawa, a company set up while he was the prime minister during the COVID-19 pandemic era.


Furthermore, with Bersatu now experiencing an alleged leadership tussle between Muhyiddin and his deputy Hamzah Zainudin, perhaps, Dr Mahathir might feel that it's safer to put his money on the latter who may not pose a threat to him? In fact, didn't he also previously allow Hamzah to court Umno and PAS in early 2020 prior to the fall of his then PH-led government?


Another old “UMNO-style” political manoeuvring…?

Credit Image: Sinar Daily

In conclusion, with his arch-enemy Anwar and the PH coalition in disarray following the disastrous outing in the recent Sabah state elections, coupled with the fact that Bersatu is also now allegedly on the brink of a break-up, could the old “political wizard” be smelling blood? Maybe, even at 100 he is still “secretly” dreaming of another shot at Putrajaya, so that he can cement his legacy permanently, never to be rivalled by anyone?


Points to Ponder: On the topic of prime minister, while the setting of a maximum two-term cap would definitely be a prudent move, shouldn't there also be a cap on the “age”, say 75, or even lower? The truth is, if ordinary citizens have to comply with a mandatory retirement age, why shouldn't politicians also be subject to that? After all, like all civil servants, aren't their salaries and pensions also paid mainly by taxpayers?

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He is a very very very powerful man, still commanding ranks in the civil service and among some politicians (as poor AAB came to realise when he was PM). But the factor against his prolonged employment of his considerable power is his age - today less are remaining loyal to him and his 'edicts'.