For the first time in two months after the 13th General Elections on May 5, 2013, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is talking like the Deputy Prime Minister for all Malaysians, but for how long can this last before he reverts to be DPM for only 47% of Malaysians who voted for the Barisan Nasional in the general elections?

On Saturday night, Muhyiddin urged Barisan Nasional to address the needs of the urban voters and the younger generation as they had conveyed “their message” through the the 13GE, and it was up to BN to win their trust before the next general election.

He asked: “We need to find out why many urban voters did not vote for us. Is it because we had failed to fulfil their needs?”

Speaking at a Federal Territories BN thanksgiving and appreciation ceremony, Muhyiddin said based on feedback, the issues in urban areas had affected various races and these needed prompt action.

“Their message we conveyed to us through their vote. We need to pay attention to solving these matters.”

Muhyiddin said a similar “message” was conveyed by young voters, who demand a change in BN.

“It is something that we had never thought about.

“They talked about BN’s structure and policies, and they were concerned about inclusiveness.

“It is important for us to be concerned as they are talking about social justice and such matters.

“These are issues that we need to tackle.

“What is more important is our response to gain their confidence.” (New Sunday Times June 30, 2013)

Yesterday, at the launch of the 2013 Kaamatan national open house at the
Sabah National Culture and Arts Department building in Kota Kinabalu, Muhyiddin kept to the inclusive Malaysian theme, stressing that the country and the people will continue to prosper if co-operation between its diverse communities continues.

He said it was important to uphold tolerance and respect each other to ensure the country’s development was on track, as it is only with such a spirit of unity can Malaysia progresses politically, economically, socially and culturally.

This is like a breath of fresh air after some two months after the 13th general election of Chinese-bashing and racialising the 13th General Election results as a “Chinese tsunami” when it is a Malaysian tsunami and in particular, the tsunami of the young generation of Malaysians regardless of race, religion or region to go beyond the politics of race in the past 56 years, and to take an unequivocal stand against corruption, cronyism, abuses of power and injustices.

While I welcome these two pronouncements by Muhyiddin over the weekend, I cannot but wonder how long he will remain committed to the role of being DPM for all Malaysians and not just for 47% of the electorate who voted for BN, reverting to the exclusive position he announced in March 2010 that he is “Malay first, Malaysian second”.