[UPDATED] Bersatu general assembly unanimously votes to retain Muhyiddin as chief

KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu delegates at its annual general assembly today unanimously voted to retain Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as party president and reject his resignation following his graft charges earlier this week.

A supplementary motion on the matter was tabled by Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and supported by party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, before it was put up for a vote.

All 1,041 delegates present at the assembly voted in favour of the motion.

This follows Bersatu supreme council’s decision last night to similarly reject Muhyiddin’s resignation as the head of the party. 

In his tabling of the motion, Faizal led party members to pledge their support for Muhyiddin, and said more than ever, they should be in solidarity fighting the cruelty against the party president.

“We realise that without Muhyiddin, the party won’t exist. The party’s struggle is based on his ideology, and our success is because of the rakyat’s confidence in him,” he said at Bersatu’s 2022 annual general assembly here today.

“Muhyiddin’s sacrifice cannot be disputed. He has gone through various challenges. He was sacked previously, pressured to relinquish his position, and today, he is charged (in court).

“Abah has always been with us. Now is the time we be with him.”

Hamzah, meanwhile, described Muhyiddin as the symbol of inspiration for Bersatu, and that this had aided in changing the country’s political landscape when he guided the party to topple Barisan Nasional in 2018.

He also noted how Muhyiddin remained steadfast in leading the country as prime minister previously despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and various lockdowns.

“His sincerity is what encouraged the rakyat to give their mandate to Perikatan Nasional in the last general election.

“But our struggle is not done yet. There’s still a long way to go, this is just the beginning. We must defend Muhyiddin with all we have!”

Later, in his policy speech, Muhyiddin said he was touched by the support shown by delegates today and expressed his gratitude.

“In this regard, I will continue with my responsibility as party president.”

Muhyiddin, 76, was recently slapped with a total of six corruption-related charges at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court on Friday – four for abuse of power involving RM232.5 million and two charges of receiving RM195 million in illicit funds. He has claimed trial to all charges.

The Pagoh MP is expected to face an additional charge under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 tomorrow. – The Vibes, March 12, 2023