Puki Mouth

SABAH POLLS | A prominent Umno blogger has complained that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's messaging in Sabah could cost votes for both Perikatan Nasional (PN) and BN in the Sabah election. 

Zaharin Mohd Yasin noted that Muhyiddin's campaign message has been that having a state and federal government from the same coalition is better but in some places, the prime minister has gone as far as to suggest that a state government from a different coalition could see it getting less aid. “With that statement, 40 percent of independent voters who have yet to make up their mind will not vote PN and 20 percent of voters who wanted to support PN and BN will change their minds. “Because of Muhyiddin's mouth, Sabah voters will not vote PN and BN/Umno. BN candidates will become victims even though it is not their mistake,” he said in a Facebook post.  

Zaharin, who is the former Bandar Tun Razak Umno secretary and a political observer in Umno, predicted a win for the Warisan Plus coalition.  

Making sense of the players, parties and battles Muhyiddin has made multiple campaign appearances for the PN-BN-PBS alliance in the Sabah election, which could serve as a litmus test for his fate in the 15th general election. 

 During a visit to Kudat yesterday, Muhyiddin was quoted by The Edge as saying that the government could only give assistance to Sabah as far as what is obligated under the Federal Constitution because the incumbent Warisan Plus-led Sabah government and PN-led federal government were not on the same page. “If the state and federal governments are on the same wavelength, of one heart, one mind, it’s easier (to channel aid),” he was quoted as saying. 

Former deputy prime minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail yesterday criticised Muhyiddin's position. “He should be the prime minister for all states and for all Malaysians instead of a prime minister for states that are governed by the party from the federal government or those who vote for the ruling party,” she had said. 

Wan Azizah added contrary to Muhyiddin's position, the previous Pakatan Harapan-led federal government treated all states fairly. Harapan is part of the Warisan Plus alliance, together with Warisan and Upko. Muhyiddin is pushing for his pact comprising PN, BN and PBS to unseat the incumbent Warisan Plus government. Campaigning began on Sept 12 and polling day is on Sept 26.