Is Bersatu leadership losing faith in Muhyiddin at helm?

KUALA LUMPUR – The loyalty of Bersatu’s leadership to their president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is apparently becoming “shaky”.

According to several sources within the party, there are already signs of a movement to remove Muhyiddin as party president and also chairman of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Johor Umno deputy chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said many among the Bersatu leadership have begun losing trust in Muhyiddin’s leadership, which they claim is more focused on personal vengeance rather than the party’s interests.

According to him, several Bersatu leaders were unhappy with Muhyiddin following PN’s failure to form the government.

“Some are upset because Muhyiddin was arrogant in negotiating with Barisan Nasional, and Umno took the opportunity to form the unity government with Pakatan Harapan. This had deprived them of the opportunity to become ministers again.

“That is why there is now a group within Bersatu that is planning to oust Muhyiddin and take leadership of the party. They also feel Muhyiddin no longer has the X-factor to lead Bersatu and PN to the future,” he said.

Nur Jazlan said the appointment of Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as head of the opposition more or less confirms these claims.

“Why was it Hamzah and not Muhyiddin? Perhaps there are Bersatu MPs who feel the Pagoh MP has lost his hold on the party.

Also, Muhyiddin lost his sting when his right-hand men like Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali lost their seats in the recent general election,” he said.

Nur Jazlan, who is also the Pulai Umno chief, said Muhyiddin’s control over Bersatu was decreasing to the point some are becoming brave enough to go against him.

The former deputy home minister said Muhyiddin must be prepared to accept the reality that whatever he did against Umno’s members is now coming back to him.

“The same applies to Umno members who conspired and worked with Muhyiddin to destroy the party. They too must be prepared to accept the punishment for their wrongdoings.

“If there are those within Bersatu itself who are no longer confident with Muhyiddin and the party, what more outsiders? Look at Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who was recently sacked from Umno. He did not opt to join Bersatu despite being close to Muhyiddin,” he said, adding that Annuar instead preferred to revive Muafakat Nasional, which he had established earlier. – The Vibes, December 17, 2022