COMMENT | The story of Muhyiddin Yassin and his climb up the greasy political pole has parallels with the story about Malays and their bantuan (handouts).

Muhyiddin did not have to win an election, but with the firm backing of the top royal, was "presented" with the opportunity to form the next government. Most politicians would probably envy Muhyiddin's luck, but they are aware of the extra baggage he carries: the rakyat's wrath.

For decades, the battle cry of Umno-Baru and PAS has been that their parties are the only ones which will "defend the Malays and protect Islam". Fast forward to 2020, and the "I am Malay first PM" has found, to his horror, that his power grab has ironically divided the Malays, PAS and Umno-Baru.

Around the world, governments talk about unity in a collective effort to tackle perhaps our greatest challenge since the Second World War. Here, in Malaysia, Muhyiddin played politics at his first coronavirus meeting, when he excluded leaders of the Harapan-led states. This is not leadership.

When the public reacted with outrage, Muhyiddin's administration was forced to perform a damage limitation control exercise and the Chief Secretary to the Government, Zuki Ali, became the sacrificial lamb. Muhyiddin has failed to acquire the skill of assuming responsibility...