Political Shake‑Up: Two Op‑Opp MP “Quit the Party” & Back Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yesterday (Feb 28), a sudden twist in Kuala Lumpur’s political drama saw two members of Parliament ditch the opposition’s “party bus” and hop onto the Prime Minister’s side. Larry Sng Wei Shien from Julau and Steven Choong Shiau Yoon from Tebrau officially penned statutory declarations, giving a thumbs‑up to Muhyiddin Yassin and his Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.
When a Defection Turns Into Politico‑Sport
- MN received the SDs right after a cabinet gathering in Putrajaya, marking PN’s one‑year milestone.
- He tweeted (or, more precisely, posted on Facebook) that the new support would “strengthen the PN government” in battling COVID‑19 and reviving the economy.
- The move throws a lot of speculation into the air: will more MPs jump ship before Parliament re‑opens?
The Emergency Twist
It’s not just a simple loyalty switch. Earlier this year, under the King’s advisement, Malaysia declared a nationwide state of emergency—set to last until Aug 1—so the parliament sidestrepped a possible no‑confidence vote. The emergency halted parliamentary sitting, effectively putting a lid on any immediate challenge to Muhyiddin’s leadership.
How the Numbers Shift
- PN, already a minority with 109 seats after two UMNO MPs withdrew support, now sees a potential push to 111 seats once Larry and Steven join.
- With two seats vacant in the 222‑member house, the modest boost is enough to flip the tiny majority.
More Departures on the Horizon?
The ripple didn’t stop with Larry and Steven. Hassan A Gani Pg Amir of Sebatik announced he’s leaving Parti Warisan Sabah, an ally of the opposition’s Pakatan Harapan. He’s now an independent who supports PN’s Sabah state government via Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
Right when the chatboards are buzzing, rumours of further defections—especially from Warisan—are surfacing. Some figures suggest that further non‑Malay leaders may be poised to back PN before the next general election.
Firecracker Statements from the Opposition
- Ms Napsiah Khamis, Johor Women’s PKR chief, blasted the move as “treason” toward both the party and voters, stressing the betrayal’s “tangible and intangible” damage.
- She urged voters to use the upcoming election as a vote of confidence, ensuring “false leaders are defeated.”
Bottom Line
These defections are giving MDB (the Malaysian Democrat Base) a chance to recalibrate its numbers right before a possible general election. Whether the political tides are in favor of the current administration or the opposition, only time will tell—but for now, the courtroom of parliamentary politics looks a bit less predictable.
Stay tuned for the next chapter in this saga—after all, in politics, you never really know who’s going to change their party on a Tuesday.
