PETALING JAYA: The general election should be held soon if the current administration is unable to manage the economy and country, says former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP and National Recovery Council chairman, said he is not pushing for an early election but added that there are signs things are “not okay” in the country.

“I think if the Prime Minister does not manage the economy and the country properly, it is better for the general election to be held so that a new government which is more efficient, caring and free of corruption can be chosen by the people,” said the Perikatan Nasional chairman in a Facebook post.

He also said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob could not be oblivious to the slide of the ringgit – which has affected the import of food.

“Is this okay? No, it is not okay.

“The issue of the slide of the value of the ringgit is not taken seriously. The PM has not come forward to explain the steps taken by the government to counter the fall in the value of the ringgit,” he said.

He cited studies by Merdeka Centre in 2021 and Mindshare which showed Malaysians with low income were facing economic hardship due to the increase in prices.

“Malaysia imports a big part of its food (supply). Last year, this reached RM63bil. If the ringgit continues to fall, food will be more expensive,” he added.

Muhyiddin added that every time there was a National Recovery Council meeting, the issue of manpower continued to be raised and reported to the Cabinet. However, until today, this issue had yet to reach a comprehensive solution.

“Many businesses and companies had to close down or shrink operations due to lack of manpower. Industries incur losses and the recovery of the country is stunted due to this problem too,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/20/hold-polls-soon-if-govt-cannot-perform-says-muhyiddin