PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is facing a significant internal crisis as several division committees across the country announce their purported dissolution, citing a loss of confidence in the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
However, the party’s central youth wing, Armada, has hit back at these claims, stating that such actions have no legal standing under the party’s constitution.
The controversy erupted following reports that divisions in Larut, Lembah Pantai, Kepala Batas, and Tanjong, along with the Bukit Gelugor women’s wing committee, had officially disbanded.
Speculation is also mounting in Kelantan, where six divisions including Kota Bharu, Ketereh, and Jeli are reportedly planning to announce their dissolution this coming Saturday in a direct challenge to the party president.
Harris Idaham Rashid, the Armada Information Chief and Balik Pulau Division leader, clarified that while individuals have the right to resign, they cannot take the party structure with them.
He said: “There is no provision in the Constitution of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia which allows a Division committee to announce dissolution.
“We see the development of several Division Committees announcing the dissolution of the Division because they have resigned recently.”
According to the party’s legal framework, the power to dissolve any branch resides solely with the Supreme Leadership Council, he added, emphasising that even state-level bodies are powerless in this regard.
Harris noted the State Liaison Body also does not have the right to announce or confirm the dissolution of Divisions in their respective states.
“The same law applies to the wings. Becoming a member, holding or resigning from a position is an individual right guaranteed under the Federal Constitution Article 10 of freedom of speech, assembly and association. But, to announce the dissolution of a Division, the Committee or individuals including the Division Chief, they have no right at all,” he said.
The internal rift is particularly visible in Kelantan, where insiders dispute claims of unanimous support for the President.
A source within the state leadership challenged the narrative provided by the state chairman, asserting that support is fractured.
The source remarked, the statement by Kelantan Bersatu Chairman, Datuk Kamaruddin Md Nor, saying that support for Muhyiddin was unanimous is not true.
Instead, six divisions do not support Tan Sri Muhyiddin and only eight divisions support him.
The source further claimed that recent party conventions were poorly attended by actual committee members, alleging, many division committee members did not attend, those who attended were only members, yet they announced support for Muhyiddin was unanimous. Whereas, it is not true.
In response to the escalating situation, the party headquarters has urged the media to exercise caution.
Harris suggested, Armada Bersatu suggests that the media wait for the announcement from the Secretary-General regarding the status at the Division level.
Armada Bersatu also suggests not to report matters regarding dissolution before it can only be decided at the Supreme Leadership Council level, but there is no problem reporting on resignations because is each person’s right.
As the party prepares for its upcoming internal deliberations, the focus remains on whether the central leadership can contain the dissent before the scheduled announcements in Kelantan this weekend. - February 17, 2026
