A SHOW of unity at the Bersatu headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday night masked deeper divisions within the party, as President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sought to ease tensions between rival camps.
Dozens of grassroots members gathered with banners reading “Bersatu Bahagian Bersama TSMY”, chanting “Hidup Tan Sri, Hidup Abah!” as Muhyiddin arrived for the Supreme Leadership Council (MPT) meeting.
The scene, though reminiscent of routine political support, carried added weight amid the party’s ongoing internal turmoil between the factions aligned with Muhyiddin and Deputy President Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
After the meeting ended around 10.30pm, Muhyiddin told reporters that all MPT members had agreed to end the conflict.
“Today’s meeting was conducted peacefully and harmoniously. We faced some issues, but we have agreed to find the fastest way to reunite as a strong team,” he said. “We are thinking about the people’s welfare and preparing for the Sabah state election. We need a united front, and we agreed that this internal dispute must stop. There is nothing more to be raised.”
Bersatu Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali echoed the call for calm, stressing that party leaders were “not at war” but merely differed in opinion. He said unity remained possible within the party’s democratic tradition.
However, the evening’s supposed reconciliation appeared far from absolute. Hamzah left the venue without speaking to the media, followed by several MPT members believed to be his supporters. Outside, a group of Azmin’s supporters shouted “We’ve won!” and “Congratulations, Datuk Seri!” as he exited the building.
To manage ongoing disputes, Muhyiddin announced the formation of an Appeals Board chaired by former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun. Yet political analysts have questioned whether the move represents a genuine resolution or a temporary truce.
Dr Mohamad Hafis Amat Simin of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) described the decision as a tactical measure ahead of the Sabah state election.
“The key question is how long this unity will last when political pressure and personal ambitions resurface. If the Appeals Board lacks sincerity and political will, it may only serve to mask deeper divisions,” he said.
Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob, meanwhile, admitted the root of Bersatu’s problems lay in the emergence of factions pursuing personal agendas. “When the party starts seeing infighting and power struggles like other Malay parties, it loses direction,” he said.
“Many grassroots leaders have been using their own funds to sustain operations, and they are frustrated when branch and division meetings are suddenly annulled without explanation. Don’t mistake their silence for ignorance.”
He urged the leadership to pursue reconciliation sincerely. “If Datuk Seri Hamzah is expelled and more leaders are punished, who will remain? Without influential figures, no one will want to join. The leadership must act maturely and not childishly punish those with differing views,” he warned.
The latest crisis erupted in early September 2025 amid allegations that Hamzah was plotting to unseat Muhyiddin. A leaked letter ahead of Bersatu’s annual general meeting (AGM) suggested a concerted move to replace him.
Around 120 division chiefs were said to have signed statutory declarations urging Muhyiddin to step down.
At the AGM on 6–7 September, tensions ran high as Muhyiddin warned members against undermining his leadership.
The following day, the MPT agreed to cease open hostilities, and delegates passed a motion reaffirming Muhyiddin as president and Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) prime ministerial candidate. Hamzah later pledged loyalty, while Muhyiddin thanked PAS for its continued support.
However, internal friction escalated again in October when Bersatu’s Disciplinary Board expelled Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and suspended Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal for one term.
Four division chiefs were also dropped, prompting 16 Bersatu MPs to write to the leadership on 23 October calling for an immediate resolution.
The letter described the disciplinary actions as “unwise” and potentially damaging to PN’s public support. Among the signatories were Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, Tanah Merah MP Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz and Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid.
None of the 16 MPs have publicly commented on the document.
The MPT’s latest announcement of a “political ceasefire” marks an attempt to project unity, but whether the truce will hold—or merely delay an inevitable split—remains to be seen. - November 6, 2025
