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Cracks in Bersatu deepen as Muhyiddin faces revolt

PN chief faces calls to resign amid assembly commotion SHAH ALAM: The eight Bersatu annual general assembly descended into chaos on Saturday when several groups staged a provocation, demanding party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin step down. The incident broke out during Muhyiddin’s presidential policy speech when he addressed attempts to topple his leadership through a signature campaign. “I hear some people are collecting signatures to bring down the president. This is an action that contravenes the party’s constitution. If the president can be brought down through the collection of signatures, then everyone on this stage can also be toppled the same way. Division chiefs, Armada chiefs, Srikandi chiefs, Srikandi Muda chiefs, associate chiefs and all division committee members could face the same fate,” he told delegates. His remarks drew an immediate reaction from the floor, with one individual shouting: “Not true, Tan Sri.” A small group then began chanting “Turun, turun”(step down), urging him to resign. The calls were swiftly countered by the rest of the hall, which erupted in chants of “Hidup Tan Sri”(long live Tan Sri), signalling strong support for the party leader. Later at a press conference, Muhyiddin said he was unfazed by the commotion, stressing that it did not disrupt the event, Bernama reported. “I don’t know what exactly happened. I was on stage and concentrated on my speech. If there was an incident, we will wait for the security team’s report. Thankfully, it did not disrupt the programme, which went on smoothly,”he said. On whether action would be taken against those involved, Muhyiddin said it would depend on the findings of the party’s security unit. “I don’t want to pre-empt. Any decision will be made after reviewing the report.” The former prime minister brushed aside doubts about his leadership, pointing out that his position as party president was secured through a democratic mandate. “I was elected last year for a three-year term. Any changes must follow the party constitution. I’m not perturbed by what happened. To me, this is a minor matter. What’s important is for Bersatu to remain strong and united.” He dismissed speculation of factionalism, stressing the party was intact and focused on preparing for the next general election. “There are no camps in Bersatu. What matters is that we are always ready for any situation, especially with the general election due in two years. Election preparation is part of our responsibility and we must concentrate on that.” Muhyiddin described the heckling as a normal part of politics and maintained it would not distract him from his duties.

campaign against Muhyiddin underscored rising grassroots frustration, said political observers. Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said the campaign reflected clear discontent. “When Muhyiddin revealed that a signature campaign has been going on it showed the grassroots are frustrated, that he did not listen or did not want to listen to their advice and feelings,” he told theSun . Azmi cautioned that although Muhyiddin retained the backing of the supreme council, the grassroots were restless. “Right now, Muhyiddin is clinging to his position by virtue of the support from the supreme council, not the grassroots.” He added that unlike PAS, which has enjoyed stability in its top ranks, Bersatu’s internal strife risked undermining PN’s credibility.

“It will also raise doubts about whether PN has the capability to topple the Unity government. People will question whether PN is truly ready and stable enough to take over from the Unity alliance.” International Islamic University Malaysia Assoc Prof Dr Syaza Shukri, also a fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, said the incident exposed cracks in Muhyiddin’s leadership. “I think what happened showed that his standing and authority are not fully without challenge. In other words, it is slightly unstable.” She noted that while this may not point to a complete trust deficit, it reflects frustration within the party, particularly because Muhyiddin does not appear to be the dynamic leader many Malaysians seek. “It’s not that the public distrust him. It’s just that he doesn’t appear to be the best person to lead Malaysia. Bersatu might say their research shows Muhyiddin is the best to lead Bersatu or PN right now, but that might just be because there’s no better leader within the coalition, not because he is the best for Malaysia.” Syaza added that Muhyiddin had lost traction with younger and undecided voters. “They want someone dynamic who can lead changes and reforms in Malaysia. He hasn’t been vocal. Even during the Turun Anwar rally, Muhyiddin was forgettable. People were talking about other politicians instead.” She also said Bersatu’s weaknesses could be exploited by both allies and opponents. “This definitely benefits PH and BN. They can and will use this to their advantage to show how fractured Bersatu is. PAS can also use this to show they are the much better party within PN.” Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali described the unrest as more than symbolic. “This is not just symbolic, but a form of total dissatisfaction and wanting a new leadership to take over, and I imagine they want Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin to take over immediately to replace Muhyiddin.” He cautioned that Hamzah’s popularity could complicate party dynamics further if Muhyiddin digs in, adding that continued factionalism could undermine public confidence in Bersatu and weaken PN’s campaign machinery for upcoming elections. “I think the internal problems in unity could affect the focus on winning the Sabah state election and the 16th general election. The election requires mobilisation of energy and a strong campaign machinery. “If members and leaders do not work together, how can they convince the people to support them?” While he does not expect Bersatu to splinter, Mazlan stressed that swift leadership action was needed to contain dissent.

o Observers say internal strife risks undermining strength of Perikatan Nasional ahead of upcoming elections

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Calls for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to resign as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president at the party’s eighth annual general assembly on Saturday have laid bare deep fractures, with analysts warning the turmoil could weaken Perikatan Nasional (PN) as a whole. Open heckling and reports of a signature

COLLECTOR’S HAVEN ... Enthusiasts looking to buy, sell and trade collectibles during the Card Mania 2025 Community Day held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

MIC queried over deputy youth chief’s presence at opposition event

Amanah: We will respect Barisan Nasional decision not to cooperate with GRS

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has said it will respect Barisan Nasional’s (BN) and Umno’s decision not to work with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the 17th Sabah election. Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa stressed that the party prioritises political stability and unity within the Unity government, adding that the Sabah election must focus on the people’s interests rather than politics alone. “In any situation, Amanah sees the best thing we can do is to deliberate together, to find the best consensus,” he said at a press conference before

officiating at the Federal Territories Amanah convention in Bandar Tun Razak yesterday. Earlier, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president, confirmed that Umno and Sabah BN would not cooperate with GRS but would maintain their partnership with Pakatan Harapan in the state polls. Mujahid also revealed that Amanah plans to contest in five state seats in the polls. The 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly will automatically dissolve on Nov 11 if it is not dissolved earlier, paving the way for the election. – Bernama

BAGAN DATUK: MIC will be asked to explain to Barisan Nasional (BN) following the attendance of its deputy youth chief K. Kesavan at the opening of Bersatu’s Armada general assembly on Saturday, said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He explained that BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir would request a written explanation from the party regarding the matter. Ahmad Zahid stressed that it was up to MIC’s leadership to decide on any disciplinary

action in accordance with its rules. “This is not a good manifestation. No BN component party should send representatives, either personally or officially, to attend any meeting organised by a party outside the Madani government,” he said. He was speaking at a press conference after officiating at the Motivasi Desa (MODE)@Kemas KKDW and Bakti Madani@KPT programmes yesterday, when asked whether BN would take disciplinary action against MIC. – Bernama