Can Muhyiddin leverage his past experience to regain the PM position?

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Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is attempting to leverage his past experience and "Abah" persona in his campaign to regain the position of Prime Minister.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is actively employing his "Abah" persona, a paternal image cultivated during his previous 17-month premiership, to bolster the Perikatan Nasional (PN) campaign for the 15th general election. He directly references his time in office when questioning the crowd about who possesses relevant experience, eliciting the response "Abah!" from his supporters. This strategy aims to remind voters of his governance during the Covid-19 pandemic and his efforts to manage the unprecedented challenges faced by the nation.
Revival of the "Abah" Persona

The "Abah" persona, which translates to father, was intentionally used by Muhyiddin and his supporters during his tenure as prime minister to foster a warm, paternal connection with the public. This image was reinforced during a recent PN mega rally, where attendees welcomed him with cheers and chants of "Abah," demonstrating a continued recognition and positive reception of this moniker. The use of drums and singing of "Abah oh Abah" further amplified this persona during the event in Taman Keramat.
Referencing Past Governance

Muhyiddin directly highlights his 17-month period as prime minister when engaging with the public, posing questions like "Who has the experience?" to elicit the "Abah!" response. This serves as a direct reminder of his executive experience, particularly during the challenging Covid-19 pandemic. He also addressed the moniker "father of MCO," given by Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, framing it as a reflection of his attempts to do the right thing during unprecedented times.
Campaign Strategy Amidst Current Political Landscape

The revival of the "Abah" persona and the emphasis on past experience are central to PN's campaign strategy aimed at reinstalling Muhyiddin as prime minister. This approach seeks to position him as a capable leader with proven governance experience, particularly in crisis management. The strategy is being deployed at campaign events, such as the rally in Gombak, where party leaders like Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali also invoked the "Abah" identity while assuring the crowd of Muhyiddin's imminent arrival.

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Can Muhyiddin leverage his past experience to regain the PM position?

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