*Shahrill Ramli @ Romli, Abdul Muati @ Zamri Ahmad, Moniza Waheed, Hamisah Hasan
Abstract:
This paper explores the ethos (characteristics of the speaker) of Malaysia’s 8th Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin based on the Prihatin Economic Stimulus Package Speech delivered during the Movement Control Order imposed by the government to flatten the COVID-19 pandemic curve. This paper is an attempt in analysing the speech delivered by Muhyiddin Yassin through a Neo-Aristotelian rhetorical criticism approach. From the Malay Muslims hegemony depicted as raison d'être of the infamous Sheraton Move to proving his credibility as a premier at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is significant to uncover Muhyiddin’s three dimensions of goodwill ethos through his speech in times where people put high hopes on leaders to weather unprecedented challenges.
Keywords: Rhetoric, neo-Aristotelian, Muhyiddin Yassin, ethos, COVID-19