Marzuki removed because, not in spite of, Covid-19

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 22 Mar 2020 9:24AM · 11 Comments

I WISH to respond to news questioning why Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had removed party secretary-general Marzuki Yahya.

Firstly, I am only an ordinary Bersatu member in Ipoh. While I do not hold key posts in the party, I wish to offer a grassroots’ view about what has transpired, in hopes of the media getting a fair assessment of the whole debacle.

A key contention was the timing of Marzuki’s removal. According to critics, Muhyiddin, who is also the prime minister should have focused on fighting Covid-19 instead of strengthening his grip on the party.

My response is, Marzuki’s sacking is not in spite of Covid-19, but because of this national crisis. The country is at war.

The prime minister needs everyone to be a team player. The last thing Muhyiddin wants is to continuously watch his back when a “war” is taking place.

Marzuki, as we know, is aligned to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and has been sniping at his boss.

If Marzuki cannot agree with the party president, he should just resign, not continue to attack Muhyiddin who has his hands full battling pandemic.

In Bersatu, the secretary-general is a key post, junior only to the chairman, president and deputy president.

A general at war needs to ensure all his key lieutenants are on the same page as him. Anyone who is not, rightfully should be given the marching orders.

Lest we forget, Dr Mahathir was also fighting an equally daunting enemy in 1998. It was the Asian financial crisis that took down one economy after another in this region.

Back then, Dr Mahathir’s deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, who was also the then finance minister could not see eye-to-eye with the prime minister on key economic policies.

Anwar was in favour of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) package, but Dr Mahathir preferred capital controls. In the end, Anwar was given the boot and Dr Mahathir’s policies saved the day.

Marzuki’s sacking is not about politics. This is about being a team player. Whether in politics, on the battlefield or in the boardroom, there is a need for cohesion, especially in time of crisis.

If a senior finance manager of a company continuously shows insubordination to the CEO, the latter has the right to sack him or her, especially when times are bad.

Otherwise, the company will be in turmoil, possibly out of business, and the staff may soon be jobless.

Muhyiddin is facing a national crisis in the form of Covid-19. He needs all the backing he can get.

The least we can do is not to throw dirt at him without first getting the full picture of what is really going on. – March 22, 2020

* Abdullah Yunos 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.

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Comments

  • He needs retards like minum air suam can kill Covid-19 virus to support him.

    Posted 4 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Did Marzuki took public swipes at Muhyiddin once the crisis started? Is he a member of the new cabinet? No, he's an outsider, similar to an opposition critic, no impact on the cabinet or the team or whatever, what nonsense are you spewing to justify your boss playing politics at a time of crisis. Almost the whole country is criticizing the PM's handling of the crisis, so, "sack" all Malaysians?

    Posted 4 years ago by A Subscriber · Reply

  • Mahathir also not aligned to Muhyidin, so sack Mahathir also lah. Be consistent with your r comment. U should know now why u r just an ordinary member.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Yunos is just finding an excuse for Muhyiddins action. Whether its the Covid-19 crisis or during normal times, Muhyddin will always have to watch his back as hes a backdoor PM with a ragtag team of thieves, Talibans and traitors.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Yunous --- you write rubbish !!! Your idol Muhyddin started the war in the political game from PH to PN and quickly grab the position as PM8. Well If it ain't politic then what was it. Why the need to sack Marzuki eventho' he is not in sync with him. It has to be done as a political strategy for Marzuki is with PM7. If it is not an act of politic to ensure his survial as PM8. or you prefer to call it as children masak2 game just to justify the guise of political sacking. If you want to be PM8 apologist be a good one with proper tidings. Tell the truth and people will accept it. Just said he is not in sync with PN and have to go. Even without Marzuki around your PM 8, I am pretty sure that he is already awared and in fear of the other Marzuki Brutus lurking. Couple to the fact his recovered health is not giving him confidence to take head on his "Kobis 19" concern which we rakyat can see that he is not even proactive save for the two TV annoucement which is sadly lacking to the rakyat on affirmative actions. The dearth of info in regards to the Covid 19 testing and lateconstant update shows a clueless government and bunch of simpletons in their pedestrain act. PM8 shud thanks his lucky star that the DG Hisham is still around and at least some works are being done or else we will be Asia Italy. Till today the rakyat are still in puzzle on the Cabinet Ministers in their role. What work have they done apart from foolishly giving air time of their low tier comedy act. Rakyat are fed up not on the MCO but the insufficient deliberation of the planning . Another latest sorry state of short sightedness of single head of house hold to purchase essential is drawing ire from many . At least the allowance of two person will help to ease many in their parking , purchasing and handling of emergency. Statiscally If a single or two person is infected going backto infect the the particular household is still the same. If no infection all the best Most important is adhering to the mandatory procedure of curtailing the movement in lockdown. PN ta bolih pakai !!!!

    Posted 4 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Clearly everyone is upset with the political development in Malaysia.
    Most do not understand what is a coalition government.
    If any party during the election could not get a majority, in Malaysia's case more than 111 seats, parties will have to band together to achieve above 111 to be the government.
    PH is such a government and after 22months, lost their majority when Bersatu decided to band up with BN and Pas to achieve the majority.
    So all government both PH and PN are legitmate.
    Malaysians please be matured and accept the rules of a democracy.
    Stop bickering and start building your country again based on democratic system.

    Posted 4 years ago by Silver Smith · Reply

    • Stop being a smart aleck . PN came in without mandate and no manisfecto except for empty stale slogan and till today yet to perform as a legitimate government. Tell it to the world dignitaries to congratulate and welcome the new PM. We are yet to see that save for the immediate neighbours. Right now we are yet to see objectively PN administrating the country but only many comedians on display.

      Posted 4 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • That's where you are wrong. PH was a coalition of like minded parties even before the GE14. They had a manifesto and a prime ministerial candidate, who is Tun mahathir. So it's not a coalition of convenience formed just to get the 112 MPs majority.

      However, PN on the other hand is a coalition dominated by 2 loosing parties, namely BN and PAS which lost the GE14 elections. PN is a typical coalition of convenience formed merely to grab political power by selfish leaders hungry for power and to escape their legal problems.

      Save for Singapore and Indonesia, no other country has sent congratulatory messages to the new "PM8". This speaks volumes of the world community recognition of this PN Govt

      Posted 4 years ago by Super Duper · Reply

  • Hello
    We are tired of politics bro. Please address the issues on hand and what the rakyat want. We don't want much...be honest and treat all as fair as can be. We are not asking the impossible.

    Posted 4 years ago by Akmar Faisa8 · Reply

  • One simple question : WHAT DID MARZUKI DO THAT IS UNDERMINING MUHYIDDIN IN COVID FIGHT?

    Writer gave example of Anwar. But he didn't gave any instances of MARZUKI not team player of Covid.

    Remember, if leader gave wrong instructions, it's the duty of the team members to correct the leader. The country is not a company and doesn't belong to on guy. And if by giving such feedback, he is deemed "not a team player", the fight is already lost. Health Minister that gave tips to drink warm water to kill virus is one of such examples.

    Because there aren't any instances of Marzuki undermined Muhyiddin in Covid, the writer is throwing dirt at Marzuki without first getting the full picture of what is really going on.

    Posted 4 years ago by Jim O · Reply

  • The whole world's woe is because of COVID19. And war are beating. In war it's kill or be killed. Hiding behind current situation is not the actions of a hero. Seems I read somewhere about golf?

    Posted 4 years ago by Kungyee Chian · Reply