MUHYIDDIN Yassin has warned of a backlash if Putrajaya continues with what he described as a witch hunt against the previous administration.

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman claimed the current administration was working to smear his image and the coalitions ahead of the imminent six state assembly elections.

“They call us thieves and pirates so that the people will not support us, but I believe that the PN wave we have already witnessed will continue flooding the country.

“There will be a backlash. This is the sentiment of the people who see the government’s antics as malicious.

“But I believe the PN wave that we witnessed in the recent general election will continue to hit the country (and) those six states will be levelled.

“There will be backlash. I am warning you,” he declared while debating the royal address in parliament today.

PN swept 72 seats in the 222 chamber parliament in the recently concluded general election but failed to muster the 112 simple majority needed to form the Federal government.

It opted not to join the unity government formed by Pakatan Harapan chairman and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

On another matter, Muhyiddin called on Putrajaya to allow workers to withdraw from their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) again to help weather the impact of inflation.

The former Prime Minister also wanted the federal government to push banks to allow further loan moratoriums which would help in the battle against the rising cost of living.

“What’s wrong with considering another targeted EPF withdrawal if the people want it? After all, it’s not the government’s money, but the people’s,” he told the chamber.

The Pagoh lawmaker said a moratorium could be put in place for those having difficulty with loans.

He noted that financial institutions made record profits when the country was grappling with the fallout from the Covid-19 crisis.

“So, what’s wrong if banks help the people again with another targeted moratorium for a certain period to reduce their burden from inflation and overnight policy rate increase? The government doesn’t need to spend a single sen,” he told the chamber.

Muhyiddin took a swipe at the government’s effort to battle the cost of living and declared it had been haphazard.

They promised a comprehensive policy to battle the cost of living but now since taking office they have yet to unveil anything.

Ministers have been suggesting boycotting restaurants or not eating eggs if they found it prohibitive.

“But to date the government has not given us any clear policy on how it wanted to tackle the problem,” he said. –  February 15, 2023.