THE SHERATON MOVE
The ‘Sheraton Move’ got its name after the Sheraton Hotel, Petaling Jaya where a meeting of leaders from several factions within Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) was held on 23rd February 2020 which led to resignation of Tun Mahathir Mohamad as Prime Minister and the formation of a new government under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
This is what happened:
Feb 23 - Barisan Nasional, Bersatu, PAS and a splinter faction of PKR led by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali gathered for a “special meeting” at the hotel. The gathering is now referred to as the “Sheraton Move”. Those present plotted to topple the Pakatan Harapan government.
Feb 24 - Mahathir resigns, automatically bringing down the Pakatan coalition. The King re-appoints him as interim leader until a successor is named.
Feb 25 - Mahathir proposes a unity government but it was rejected.
Feb 26 - The palace says the King will meet all 222 elected members of parliament.
Feb 28 - Bersatu party nominates Muhyiddin Yassin as its prime ministerial candidate. UMNO and PAS vow to back him.
Feb 24 - Mahathir resigns, automatically bringing down the Pakatan coalition. The King re-appoints him as interim leader until a successor is named.
Feb 25 - Mahathir proposes a unity government but it was rejected.
Feb 26 - The palace says the King will meet all 222 elected members of parliament.
Feb 28 - Bersatu party nominates Muhyiddin Yassin as its prime ministerial candidate. UMNO and PAS vow to back him.
On Feb 29, Malaysia gets its 8th Prime Minister after the King appoints Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as premier, on grounds that he has the majority support among lawmakers in parliament.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PERIKATAN NASIONAL
Perikatan Nasional (PN) is an alliance that was established during the political crisis in February, when Bersatu departed from the Pakatan Harapan coalition.
On March 18, all Members of Parliament from BN, Parti Pribumi Bersatu (Bersatu), Barisan Nasional, Pas, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Sabah STAR) declared their support that led to the formation of Perikatan Nasional.
The leaders of these parties announced they have worked on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the cooperation. Key provisions of the MOU included upholding the Malaysian Constitution, the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers and the principles of Rukun Negara.
UMNO, however, reaffirmed in July that it would not join PN, but it will support the coalition and remain a part of the PN federal and state governments.
The Registrar of Societies (RoS) confirmed on 14 September 2020 that Perikatan Nasional was registered on 7 August 2020 as Parti Perikatan Nasional .
UMNO AND BERSATU RELATIONSHIP
The political crisis this year turned UMNO and Bersatu from political enemies into allies. Bersatu president Muhyiddin admits there are those uncomfortable with the situation, but he viewed it as UMNO being forced to stay in the cooperation as a greater unity for Malay Muslims, and he believes it should be seen as a test for Malay leaders in the country.
The relationship test between the two can be seen during a few occasions:
Sabah’s snap election: The clashes of seats and the CM position
Prior to the election day, BN and PN were already clashing on 11 state seats. In fact, Head of Sabah Bersatu Leadership Council Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor appeared shocked to learn about the matter during the press conference to announce the 29 seats to be contested by PN, which was held a few hours after BN announced their candidates.
But the matter was resolved after Muhyiddin and BN Chairman Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi had a meeting and announced the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition consisting PN, BN and PBS.
When GRS won Sabah’s state election on September 27, there was no immediate announcement on the new Chief Minister position and the swearing-in ceremony did not happen on that day.
It was only after a few meetings between the leaders in GRS, Hajiji Noor was chosen to become the new Sabah CM.
Perak political crisis
The crisis started when Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu was forced to resign as Menteri Besar Perak after losing the vote of confidence in the state legislature - 48 assemblyman voted against him while only 10 voted for him.
According to Ilham Center Research Fellow, Associate Prof Dr Hamidin Hamid, the situation reflects the fragility of Bersatu political cooperation with its partners. He explained that Bersatu as a dominant party in Perak and the Federation, with a small number of seats may face challenges to withstand the pressure, especially when UMNO has a large number of seats.
The issue is then resolved after PN agreed to back Perak UMNO chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad as the 14th Perak Menteri Besar.
There were speculations that Ahmad Faizal, as Bersatu deputy president, might join the cabinet in Putrajaya after being ousted as MP Perak. He later denied the rumors.
He explains: “Currently my position is Member of Parliament of Tambun and Chenderiang State Assemblyman. That is enough tasks and I want to do many other things .. so I will focus on that,”
Prior to the election day, BN and PN were already clashing on 11 state seats. In fact, Head of Sabah Bersatu Leadership Council Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor appeared shocked to learn about the matter during the press conference to announce the 29 seats to be contested by PN, which was held a few hours after BN announced their candidates.
But the matter was resolved after Muhyiddin and BN Chairman Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi had a meeting and announced the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition consisting PN, BN and PBS.
When GRS won Sabah’s state election on September 27, there was no immediate announcement on the new Chief Minister position and the swearing-in ceremony did not happen on that day.
It was only after a few meetings between the leaders in GRS, Hajiji Noor was chosen to become the new Sabah CM.
Perak political crisis
The crisis started when Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu was forced to resign as Menteri Besar Perak after losing the vote of confidence in the state legislature - 48 assemblyman voted against him while only 10 voted for him.
According to Ilham Center Research Fellow, Associate Prof Dr Hamidin Hamid, the situation reflects the fragility of Bersatu political cooperation with its partners. He explained that Bersatu as a dominant party in Perak and the Federation, with a small number of seats may face challenges to withstand the pressure, especially when UMNO has a large number of seats.
The issue is then resolved after PN agreed to back Perak UMNO chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad as the 14th Perak Menteri Besar.
There were speculations that Ahmad Faizal, as Bersatu deputy president, might join the cabinet in Putrajaya after being ousted as MP Perak. He later denied the rumors.
He explains: “Currently my position is Member of Parliament of Tambun and Chenderiang State Assemblyman. That is enough tasks and I want to do many other things .. so I will focus on that,”
SYED SADDIQ'S MUDA
On September 17, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman registered Muda as a political party at the Registration of Societies Department (RoS).
He said, despite being mobilised by young people, Parti Muda, will not place an age limit on party membership and he intends to build grassroots support among Malaysians who are not in favor of any existing parties.
However, up until today the RoS has not updated the registration process as a legal party.
Muda has appointed several prominent lawyers in its efforts to ensure the party is registered by the RoS, including former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas and former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.
TUN M'S PEJUANG
In August, Tun Mahathir Mohamad established Parti Pejuang Tanah Air. Mahathir announced this through his social media, explaining the political party is not affiliated to any other coalition.
He said the party was formed to fight corruption.
“Take your pick. Our party was formed out of awareness. Corruption destroys the nation. Corruption destroys the Malays.
“If you want position and money, choose other parties. If you want to redeem dignity, if you want to keep your rights, choose our party, Parti Pejuang,” he wrote.
As of November, Mahathir said the party’s registration has yet to be approved by the RoS, although all conditions have been met.
READ MORE: Pejuang still waiting for RoS' approval
LEADERSHIP TESTS FOR MUHYIDDIN AND PN
The day Muhyiddin was sworn in as the eighth PM in Malaysia, he faced fierce backlash from the opposition who called him a ‘traitor’ and claimed that Perikatan Nasional is a ‘backdoor government’.
Muhyiddin took office when Malaysia was faced with the first wave of COVID-19 infectios. During the announcement of the RM250 billion stimulus (PRIHATIN) package to combat COVID-19, he said this:
“This government may not be the government that you voted for. But I want all of you to know that this government cares for you.
“I accept the fact that I became you prime minister at a trying moment. I face political, economic and health crises all at the same time,”
In fact, through all the hurdles and challenges Muhyiddin continues to face, PN has managed to survive the two major tests:
Winning Sabah’s snap election
This snap election was the first major election since Muhyiddin took office. It was a test of confidence of the people towards the new government and it was a test of the relationship between UMNO and Bersatu.
Passing of Supply Bill (Budget) 2021
Budget 2021 was, by far, the biggest test on Muhyiddin’s leadership. He survived the de-facto confidence vote in Parliament after a narrow majority of lawmakers approved the budget at the final stage amid a challenge by the opposition. Prior to the budget tabling, Muhyiddin requested for a state of emergency to be imposed because of the coronavirus crisis but the King denied his request.
This snap election was the first major election since Muhyiddin took office. It was a test of confidence of the people towards the new government and it was a test of the relationship between UMNO and Bersatu.
Passing of Supply Bill (Budget) 2021
Budget 2021 was, by far, the biggest test on Muhyiddin’s leadership. He survived the de-facto confidence vote in Parliament after a narrow majority of lawmakers approved the budget at the final stage amid a challenge by the opposition. Prior to the budget tabling, Muhyiddin requested for a state of emergency to be imposed because of the coronavirus crisis but the King denied his request.
ANWAR IBRAHIM CLAIMS SUPPORT OF MPS
On Sept 23, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim claimed that he had secured a "strong, formidable and convincing" number of members of Parliament on his side.
He said he presented evidence in the form of statutory declarations to the King. He also claimed to have support from 10 UMNO MPs. It is believed to have include former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
UMNO has denied supporting Anwar but Najib admitted that he floated the idea that UMNO should consider cooperation with Anwar. However, he stressed that this is on condition that DAP is not involved.
Meanwhile, Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein and other UMNO leaders have reiterated - “No Anwar, No DAP”.
TUN M, KU LI JOIN FORCES
On December 14, former political rivals Mahathir and UMNO veteran and Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah held a joint press conference, appealing to MPs to reject the Third Reading of the Supply (Budget) Bill 2021.
They proposed for a unity government and offered their expertise in reviving Malaysia’s economy.
In response to the announcement, UMNO information chief Shahril Hamdan slammed the “Umno veteran” for disrespecting the party and confusing its grassroots members by aligning openly with an opposition leader at a joint.
