‘Rivals attack Muhyiddin’s character because he can become PM’

KOTA KINABALU – Rivals are resorting to character assassinations on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as they are worried the Bersatu president has what it takes to be prime minister again, said information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan. 

He said Bersatu’s rising popularity and public support have concerned rivals, so Muhyiddin is the obvious target of their attacks. 

“In Malaysia, one of the parties that is the primary focus is Bersatu. Rivals are always attacking Bersatu. All parties are concerned about Bersatu, which is gaining support from the people. 

“And the figure they constantly target is Muhyiddin, because the former prime minister has the credibility and strength to become prime minister.

“For the other parties, it was important for them to assassinate his character and this is what they are trying to do,” he told reporters here tonight.

Wan Saiful, who is the National Higher Education Fund chairman, is on a working visit to Sabah where he is expected to undertake a tour to meet with party members. 

On another development, Wan Saiful said he is quite close to Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin and she had long indicated about leaving Bersatu. 

He said she has many times skipped the party’s supreme council member meetings. 

“But the moment she declared support for Parti Bangsa Malaysia, she was no longer a Bersatu leader.”

As for her plantation industries and commodities portfolio, Wan Saiful said it is the prime minister’s prerogative to pick a replacement, but since it was held by a former Bersatu leader, it is best to allow Muhyiddin to propose a substitute. 

Wan Saiful said any decisions on party matters will be decided at a supreme council meeting this month.

Speculations are rife that Wan Saiful is one of four candidates to replace Zuraida in cabinet. 

Zuraida on May 26 quit Bersatu and resigned as minister. However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has yet to make a decision over her cabinet post.

Talks are also abound of a cabinet reshuffle although the prime minister neither confirmed nor denied the possibility, only saying Zuraida’s resignation has nothing to do with the rumoured reshuffle. – The Vibes, June 4, 2022