PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) will be the choice of Malaysians in the 15th general election, Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He based his claim on the mandate the coalition had received in the Sabah elections last year, which eventually led to the formation of a PN state government.

The Bersatu chairman said there are positive signs the public is beginning to accept the coalition.

He claimed the pact had also gained ground during the recent Malacca elections, where it picked up two seats in the 28-seat state assembly.

The Pagoh MP said the coalition’s message had significant traction among younger voters.

“In the Sabah polls, PN received a very good response from the people of Sabah.

“We won the largest number of seats among the parties that make up the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition.

“I am optimistic that PN will be the people’s political coalition of choice in GE15,” he was quoted as saying in reports during his address at the Gerakan annual assembly today.

Gerakan is a member of PN. Apart from Bersatu others in the coalition are PAS and Sabah parties – STAR and Sabah Progressive Party.

Muhyiddin was prime minister until he lost his majority in Parliament, after Umno withdrew support for his leadership.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in withdrawing support, said Muhyiddin failed to fulfil the conditions underlined by Umno when it backed him to become prime minister in March last year, namely, to spearhead economic recovery and effectively handle the Covid-19 epidemic.

He said a new prime minister should be installed to manage the outbreak until an election can be held.

In his speech, the former prime minister said it was not good for the country to be ruled by one dominant political party.

He said the power enjoyed by Barisan Nasional prior to its fall in 2018 saw abuse of power and corruption.

He said it had become rampant as there was no strong checks and balances.

“In the early days, such a system that was able to create political stability was seen as being effective to spur the country’s development.

“However, year after year, the power centred more on the individuals leading the party and the government. Party members had to agree with every decision and action taken by party leaders, even when what they did was not necessarily right,” he was quoted as saying. – December 4, 2021.