UMNO Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has challenged Muhyiddin Yassin to withdraw support for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Asyraf made the challenge today after the Pagoh MP yesterday claimed that Ismail has failed to fix the country’s economy.

“If Muhyiddin believes that the government today has failed to manage the economy and there’s a need for GE15, don’t just threaten, be a man and prove it by ordering all Bersatu members in the government to withdraw support for Ismail.

“I dare you to push the button now,” said Asyraf in a Facebook post, in a reference to Muhyiddin’s threat last year that he would topple the government if it did not meet its demands.

Muhyiddin said yesterday that Ismail should call for an election if he cannot fix the country’s economy.

The former prime minister said an election would pave the way for a more capable government, free from corruption.  

“I am not pressuring the PM to dissolve parliament like what Barisan Nasional is doing but if this is the way to save our country, so be it.” 

“If the PM cannot manage the economy, better to have an election so a more capable government, people-oriented and clean can be chosen,” he added. 

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob shot back at Muhyiddin claiming he was equally responsible if the government was not performing to mark.

“(Economic affairs minister) Mustapa Mohamed (from Bersatu) is managing the economy, and we have the National Recovery Council, which is chaired by Muhyiddin,” Ismail said after launching the National Energy Policy.

“The council advises the government. So if the government has failed, that would mean everyone has failed, including the council,” he said hours after Muhyiddin’s remarks.

Asyraf then criticised Muhyiddin’s administration for suspending parliament while branding his decision for the lock down in 2020 as “half-baked”.

“Who is the senior minister in charge of the economy who is also the Miti minister, who is the economic planning unit minister, and who is the chairman of the economic recovery council? Aren’t they all from your (Bersatu) party?” he asked.

Ismail had also responded to Muhyiddin’s criticism yesterday saying that the Bersatu chairman was just as responsible if the government is said to have failed to address the country’s economic issues. – September 20, 2022.