Commentary: Malaysia state elections – Perikatan Nasional’s Muhyiddin needs a win

MUHYIDDIN YASSIN’S WINNING HANDS

Never underestimate Mr Muhyiddin’s chances of surviving his legal challenges and possibly returning as prime minister, though.

The big advantage Mr Muhyiddin has over all other PN politicians is simply having expertise and staying power at the top of the political food chain. Having served as Johor chief minister for a decade and as a federal minister for more than two decades, in addition to the short stint as prime minister, he knows everyone who matters in Malaysian politics.

There is no other person in Bersatu or PN who is more capable of putting together a coalition to take over the federal government if Mr Anwar falls.

This is especially important when PN would need to negotiate with political players in Sabah and Sarawak, where almost all the top political leaders know Mr Muhyiddin personally. There is also talk that only Mr Muhyiddin can entice BN component parties, especially the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), to cross over if the political environment is favourable.

Even former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who branded Mr Muhyiddin a betrayer for orchestrating the internal coup that brought down the Mahathir administration in 2020, is now friendly with him. Bersatu was founded by the two men in 2016.

Earlier in July, Mr Muhyiddin met with Dr Mahathir at the latter’s home, projecting an image that the two men are once again united politically in their desire to topple the Anwar administration.