'Abah our choice' - MIPP backs Muhyiddin as PM candidate

The Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) has named Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin as the coalition’s prime ministerial candidate for the 16th general election.

“‘Abah’ is our choice,” said its president P Punithan during MIPP’s annual general assembly in Petaling Jaya today.

“Abah” refers to the nickname Muhyiddin earned while leading the country during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Punithan said Muhyiddin only served as prime minister for about 18 months and deserved another chance to complete a full term.

“On behalf of MIPP, I wish to announce our choice for prime minister. This is the best time to do so. The election season has begun - Sabah anytime now, and then the general election.

“The people will not only vote for who will lead the state, but they also want to know who will lead the government when we win Putrajaya,” he told over 400 delegates.

Among PN leaders in attendance were Bersatu president Muhyiddin, Gerakan president Dominic Lau, Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir, PN secretary-general Azmin Ali, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, and National Indian Muslim Alliance Party (Iman) president Mosin Abdul Razak.

Reliable, visionary leader

Earlier, MIPP deputy president S Subramaniam tabled a motion to name Muhyiddin as PN’s prime ministerial candidate, which delegates unanimously supported.

Subramaniam said Malaysia needed a government led by an experienced, trustworthy, and visionary leader to ensure economic, social, and political stability.

“His service and effective leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic - focusing on saving lives and stabilising the economy - were deeply appreciated.

“Therefore, we, the MIPP central committee together with all party members, have decided to propose and support Muhyiddin as the 11th prime minister of Malaysia after GE16,” he said.

He added that MIPP also fully supported Muhyiddin’s leadership as PN chairperson.

MIPP is the second PN component party to name Muhyiddin as its prime ministerial candidate. Last month, Bersatu had made the same announcement.

However, another PN component, PAS, appeared less enthusiastic about the declaration, arguing that winning GE16 should take priority.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had also opined that leaders above the age of 70 should not become prime minister, a remark widely seen as a veiled reference to the 78-year-old Muhyiddin.

Championing Indian community

The MIPP assembly also passed a resolution granting full mandate to the party’s president and deputy president to represent MIPP in any discussions related to GE16, including seat negotiations.

“For GE16 and beyond, it is crucial for MIPP to have a clear and coordinated negotiation strategy to ensure that the interests of the Indian community are effectively safeguarded and advanced.

“MIPP’s success in championing the Indian community’s cause is closely linked to its influence and position in the national political landscape.

“The party must be politically prepared to face any possibility, including the formation of a government after GE16,” Subramaniam added.

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