Muhyiddin said he never wanted to become the prime minister but had only made the decision to offer himself for the position for the sake of the country.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has denied that he was a ‘political traitor, as claimed by various politicians, arguing instead that his move to claim the prime ministership was to end the week-long political crisis caused by the resignation of Dr Mahathir Mohamad last week.
He said his party had initially nominated Dr Mahathir, but the Langkawi MP and also PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had both failed to command the majority of the Dewan Rakyat.
“I had to step up to save the situation when both candidates for the prime minister post failed to get majority support from the MPs,” he said in his first address to the nation following his swearing-in.
Muhyiddin gave the assurance that he would appoint cabinet ministers who were clean and had integrity and calibre.
“I am also aware that the rakyat wants a government that is clean, with integrity and free from corruption,” he said.
Muhyiddin has promised today to be a prime minister for all Malaysians, as the country remains divided across ethno-religious and class lines.
He said he will represent every ethnic group, from Perlis in the north to Sabah in East Malaysia.
“Whether you are Malay, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Ibans, Kadazans, Dusun, Murut, Orang Asli, or any race or ethnicity. I am your prime minister,” he said.
“Whether you are a farmer, fisherman, trader, civil servant, private worker. I am your prime minister.”