GOMBAK, Nov 14 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is reviving his paternal persona of "Abah” in a bid to boost Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) 15th general election campaign that would attempt to reinstall him as the prime minister.

Originally used during his Covid-ridden administration, the crowd during a PN mega rally tonight welcomed him with cheers referring to him as "Abah” as they asked him to come closer towards the end of the long stage in a field in Taman Keramat here.

"Who has the experience?” he asked the crowd, referring to his 17-month stint governing the country.

"Abah!” they replied.

"Who is Abah?” he asked jokingly, to laughter from the crowd.

Before the event, a group of men playing the drums also led the crowd in singing "Abah oh Abah” and chanting "Abah”.

Prior to Muhyiddin’s arrival, PN election director and Gombak incumbent MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali reassured the crowd gathered in the heavy rain that "Abah” was on the way from an event in Shah Alam.

When Muhyiddin made his appearance, the crowd greeted him by shouting "Abah” and calling "Abah, come closer”.

He also referred to the moniker that Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave him as the "father of MCO” — in reference to the Covid-19 movement control order (MCO) lockdown — saying that PH leaders are irresponsible and that he tried to do the right thing during such unprecedented times when the pandemic struck.

Muhyiddin and his supporters had referred to him as "abah” while he was prime minister, in a bid to cultivate a warm paternal personality with the public.