Muhyiddin Yassin

Muhyiddin Yassin (born 15 May 1947) is a prominent Malaysian politician who has played a significant role in the country's political landscape. He served as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia, holding office from March 2020 until August 2021. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, among other political and economic challenges.

Early Life and Education

Muhyiddin was born in Muar, Johor, Malaysia. He received his early education in his hometown before pursuing higher education at the University of Malaya, where he graduated with a degree in Economics and Malay Studies. His foray into politics began during his university years, where he was active in student politics.

Political Career

Muhyiddin's political career spans several decades, during which he has held various key positions within the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), one of the major political parties in Malaysia. His political journey began at the grassroots level, eventually leading to his holding several ministerial posts, including Minister of Youth and Sports, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, and Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry.

In 2009, he was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia under Prime Minister Najib Razak's administration. However, his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister was marked by his outspoken criticism of the government's handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, which eventually led to his dismissal from the cabinet in 2015.

Following his dismissal, Muhyiddin became one of the founding members of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a splinter group from UMNO. BERSATU later joined the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, which won the 2018 general elections, leading to a historic change in government. However, due to internal disputes within the PH coalition, Muhyiddin aligned with other political parties to form the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, which led to his appointment as Prime Minister in March 2020.

Prime Ministership

Muhyiddin's tenure as Prime Minister was predominantly focused on managing the COVID-19 pandemic. His government implemented various measures to curb the spread of the virus, including lockdowns and a national vaccination program. However, his administration faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic and the economic fallout resulting from the lockdown measures.

In August 2021, Muhyiddin resigned as Prime Minister after losing majority support in the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of Malaysia's parliament. His resignation marked the end of a tumultuous period in Malaysian politics, characterized by political instability and a public health crisis.

Legacy

Muhyiddin Yassin's legacy is a subject of debate among political analysts and the Malaysian public. While some commend his efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, others criticize his political maneuvering and the impact of his policies on the country's economy and democratic processes.

See Also

• Politics of Malaysia
• COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
• 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal
• Pakatan Harapan
• Perikatan Nasional