THE flip-flop decisions by Putrajaya on standard operating procedures (SOP) during the full lockdown can affect the people’s trust in Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, said politicians and an analyst.

They said confusion over the SOP and the perception that two senior ministers were at odds over the issue could mean trouble for the ruling pact.

They told The Malaysian Insight that voters would not be able to forgive the two ministers involved in the debacle – Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Umno Youth exco Bastien Onn said people have seen that the government was incapable of harmonising the decisions made in cabinet meetings.

“People are affected by the government’s decisions on SOP that are not in sync,” he said.

“They see that there are differences of opinion. So, in their eyes, the government is not functioning as one.”

Bastien was commenting on the confusion of SOP that arose in the early stages of the implementation of the lockdown.

Among them, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri had announced the full closure of the country except for 17 economic sectors.

However, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti), led by Mohamed Azmin Ali, approved some companies not involved in essential services to operate during the two-week lockdown. 

Issues that arose included approvals granted by Miti to breweries to operate, but Ismail Sabri later confirmed that they had been ordered to close.

The media also reported, citing sources, that there was a dispute between the two ministers during a recent cabinet meeting.

Bastien said such uncertainties will erode the people’s support for the government.

“Umno must separate itself from making decisions that are felt to be unpopular because it will be detrimental to the party,” he said.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Muhammad Faiz Na’aman said issues should be discussed and sorted in cabinet meetings.

“Issues should be resolved in the cabinet meetings. Things should be solved within,” he said.

“It affects the image of the government.”

He said there would be parties that will take the opportunity to attack the government, and this will affect the image of PN.

“Maybe certain parties will draw up petitions urging Azmin to resign and this will have an impact on the image of the minister, ministry and the government,” he said.

“There should be no dispute. It’s normal to argue in meetings. If there is a dispute, it should be resolved. Why must Ismail Sabri issue statements that can cause confusion?”

Faiz was referring to a cryptic Facebook posting by Ismail Sabri that suggested that while he was closing the front door, others were allowing things to happen via the backdoor.

Apart from the brewery issue, Azmin and Miti had also come under fire for taking charge of approvals for businesses to operate despite the initial announcement that respective ministries would be in charge of such approvals.

At the same time, the number of approvals granted also raised questions as it appeared to go against the idea of a total lockdown.

Criticism against Azmin mounted on social media, including a campaign urging him to resign over the chaos in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic. The campaign garnered more than 200,000 signatures on the change.org site.

Azmin under fire

Political analyst from Universiti Malaya, Awang Azman Awang Pawi, said issues, such as the apparent dispute between Azmin and Ismail Sabri, will affect the people’s support for PN.

He, however, said it will not affect Ismail Sabri’s image in his constituency.

“They (grassroots) see Ismail Sabri as a senior minister and there is a large allocation as a minister for his constituency. So, he is less affected in his own constituency,” he said.

“However, it will affect Umno if its minister’s performance is questioned over the SOP confusion.”

Awang Azman said Azmin may have got hit worse because he did not have grassroots support.

He said Azmin is also known to have many political enemies.

“People see Azmin with various interpretations, many political enemies. If people are less controversial, there will be less criticism and controversy,” he said.

“Azmin’s personality as a politician is what caused this to happen. Because it’s him, everyone is looking for an excuse to bring him down.

“He is also seen as an instrumental figure in the Sheraton Move. So, it is difficult for his voters to forget his role in the matter.” – June 10, 2021.