(Bloomberg) Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is facing renewed pressure to allow parliament to reconvene, as his move to suspend democracy in January is failing to contain the Covid outbreak amid rising public anger.
Published on: Sunday, April 04, 2021
By: Jason Loh
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The recent Umno annual general meeting.
IT D seem that identity politics will never be erased from Malaysia, realistically speaking.
There’s a difference, though, between complete and final eradication on the one hand and some semblance of withering away – of the toxic and combustible mix of race and religion.
The recently concluded Umno general assembly – or PAU as it’s known colloquially in the national language – is yet once again a gloomy reminder that identity politics is such an allurement and addiction to the proponents and peddlers of ethno-religious centrism.
To be fair, there are some who try to be fair and balanced and moderate in their approach and rhetoric such as the Deputy President and erstwhile Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan Mohamad Hassan, affectionately known as Tok Mat.
Malaysia’s move to suspend democracy has done little to douse the friendly fire between Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu party and his powerful ally, the United Malays National Organisation.
Malaysia’s move to suspend democracy has done little to douse the friendly fire between Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu party and his powerful ally, the United Malays National Organisation.