A FEW months ago, if you were to ask your friends who don’t follow politics their thoughts on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, he would be held as a caring leader. A saviour. A father figure. Abah.

Such was the Machiavellian nature of the Bersatu president’s propaganda machine that even through the public wheeling of his “scheme of things”, Muhyiddin successfully slithered through favourably in the rakyat’s perception.

Well, it does help when his speeches are nothing more than televised monologues. For nothing shall derail this caring “abah” narrative, let alone questions from some pesky reporters.

However, it seems that this literal, twisted take on governmental paternalism is fast running through its course. Day by day, the facade is beginning to wither. Yesterday, Muhyiddin’s lethargic attempts to charm yielded nothing but self-harm.

There is nothing humorous about 619 new Covid-19 cases, the worst yet in our country’s history. Yet, this abah saw fit to joke about being caning his stubborn “children” with a rotan.

The very same day when a one-year-old from Semporna became the latest victim of the pandemic? Extremely uncalled for and deservedly, it received universal backlash.

Muhyiddin claims that there are no double standards in enforcing Covid-19 rulings. Ironic, considering there was a lack of a pink-bracelet on his wrist.

All Malaysians are equal but some are more equal than others it seems. Lest we forget, it has also been a staggering 92 days since his minister of plantation industries and commodities went on a “semi-official” trip to Turkey and refused to adhere with mandatory quarantine. What of the investigation on his case? Utter silence.

It should be clear by now that abah is playing favourites. His “golden child” are the MPs who supported him as prime minister.

From government-linked companies to ministerial posts, it’s no secret all the lavish benefits that they’ve received. Yet, his house is still out of order and if the rumours are true, it is on the brink of collapse.

Speaking of a collapse, our nation’s stern resilience against Covid-19 certainly did in the past few days and Muhyiddin himself have admitted it is the fault of the recent Sabah elections.

An election that never would happen if he did not send his successor in the Home Ministry portfolio to go on an “Adun shopping spree” in Sabah.

Musa Aman’s sudden alignment with Perikatan Nasional during the elections also showcased that this was not even Barisan Nasional’s doing but just another meticulous part of Muhyiddin’s scheme of things.

A scheme of things that has saw his National Security Council relax Covid-19 quarantine rulings amid rising cases during the elections. Why? So that his ministers could roam around freely after the elections without being subject to self-quarantine. A negligent act which resulted in the emergence of the “minister cluster”.

With all due respect, Malaysia doesn’t need an abah but a strong prime minister. Through his actions and that of his government, we know that his competency is as absent as his mandate from the rakyat.

It’s more and more clear that this self-proclaimed abah is fast becoming a negligent father. – October 7, 2020.

* Saiful Ridzaimi reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.