Malaysia

Johor Bersatu heads close ranks behind Muhyiddin amid internal party rift

State party leadership dismisses dissent by several division chiefs as unauthorised and warn that internal challenges to the leadership risk weakening the party ahead of future political contests

Updated 7 months ago · Published on 11 Feb 2026 9:15AM

Johor Bersatu heads close ranks behind Muhyiddin amid internal party rift
Bersatu’s Johor state leadership has rejected claims that it has lost confidence in party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin - February 11, 2026

THE Johor state leadership of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia has firmly denied claims that it has withdrawn support for party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, insisting that recent statements by a group of division chiefs do not reflect the official position of the party in the state.

Johor Bersatu State Leadership Council chairman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal said allegations that confidence in Muhyiddin had eroded were false, misleading and never endorsed by the state leadership council or by the majority of Bersatu division heads in Johor.

He said the remarks attributed to certain individuals represented personal views and should not be construed as the stance of the party’s state leadership.

“BPN Johor remains fully supportive of the party president.

“His leadership is the pillar of the party’s stability, and any attempt to create a contrary perception will only weaken the organisation and confuse grassroots members,” he said in a statement.

The rebuttal follows an announcement on Tuesday by 14 Bersatu division chiefs in Johor, who declared that they had lost confidence in Muhyiddin, citing what they described as failures in party leadership.

Tanjung Piai division chief Musa Khamis said their concerns included the alleged failure to manage internal party crises effectively, as well as the misuse of disciplinary procedures against senior party leaders.

Amid the widening rift, the Johor state leadership council has also called on Bersatu’s disciplinary board to take firm action against deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and individuals aligned with him, who are accused of repeatedly issuing public statements and taking actions that contravene the party constitution and decisions of the Supreme Leadership Council.

Sahruddin said that over recent months, actions and statements linked to Hamzah had openly challenged party authority and fuelled internal discord, potentially undermining the party’s preparedness for upcoming political challenges.

“BPN Johor, together with Bersatu division chiefs in Johor, in line with the position taken by party leadership in several other states, has reached a decision to submit an official memorandum to the party president and the Supreme Leadership Council to demand that the disciplinary board expel Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

“This memorandum is intended to ensure that firm, fair and final disciplinary action is taken against any individual who persistently violates the party constitution and challenges party decisions,” he said.

Previously, Hamzah was reported to be facing a summons from the party’s disciplinary board to assist in investigations into allegations surrounding disturbances at the party’s annual general assembly and an alleged attack against Muhyiddin.

According to a letter described as a second notice of summons dated Feb 6 and signed by Bersatu disciplinary board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan, four written disciplinary complaints were lodged against Hamzah on Sept 30, 2025, and Feb 5 this year.

The notice stated that failure to attend the session would allow the disciplinary board to proceed with a decision without further reference, and that any decision reached would be final. - February 11, 2026

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