Supporting Anwar's release political drama of Muhyiddin - Analysts

Former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is reportedly seen to be using the jailing of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to garner support for the newly-established Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).

The PPBM protem president's move to support the release of the former opposition leader deviates from the objective of setting up the new party, said political analyst Datuk Prof Zainal Abidin Borhan.

Describing the expression of support as mere "political talk", he said Anwar's release was not an arbitrary matter but one that had to be done according to the law.

"It will have an impact on oppositionism because Bersih and other quarters wish to have Anwar released. What Tan Sri Muhyiddin has done is to heat up the political atmosphere to make the new party relevant," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Zainal Abidin was asked to comment on media reports which quoted Muhyiddin as expressing support for the release of Anwar and pledging to make that the agenda of the party's struggle.

He said that with two years to go for the 14th general election, the latest move portrayed the 'drama' of opposing political leaders becoming friends for the sole purpose of drawing the sympathy and support of the people.

"We know the history of Tan Sri Muhyiddin and Datuk Seri Anwar; different before, different now. Whatever happens, the people can evaluate and determine which leader speaks the truth and understand that such talk is only for political gain," he said.

The head of the Cluster on Governance, Law and Public Management of the National Professors Council, Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmood, also said that Muhyiddin's move was a strategy of the new party to draw the people's attention.

He said the release of Anwar was an old issue that had been championed by the opposition political parties for their political interests.

The opinion was shared by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) geostrategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan who said Muhyiddin had deviated from the objective of PPBM.

"It is not surprising that PKR was established with the objective of freeing Anwar. However, PPBM was set up reportedly to champion the rights of the indigenous people.

"So, Muhyiddin had made PPBM his personal agenda and is prepared to deviate from the original struggle to topple his latest adversary, which is UMNO.

"The original supporters of PPBM may feel that they have been cheated by the PPBM leadership which is prepared to allow PPBM to be used by PKR," he said.