KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had intended to step down as Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, but mounting pressure from several Pas members of Parliament hastened his decision to relinquish the post, his former aide claimed.
His former principal private secretary Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad, in a lengthy Facebook post, detailed the events that transpired from midnight on Dec 29 last year leading up to the Pagoh MP's announcement on his resignation as PN chairman.
Marzuki alleged that several Pas MPs made demands for Muhyiddin to resign in the PN MP WhatsApp group, a screenshot of which went viral on social media.
"There were demands from Pas MPs for Muhyiddin to resign as the PN chairman. Muhyiddin then replied briefly, saying that he was prepared to resign at any time if required by the PN supreme council.
"He intended to table the matter to the council as this is the procedure under the PN constitution. The PN chairman is appointed by the supreme council, and any resignation must be approved by them.
"However, some Pas MPs were dissatisfied with his response. These MPs urged Muhyiddin to resign immediately without bringing the matter to the supreme council.
"Several other MPs from Pas agreed with this demand," Marzuki claimed.
He added that this led to Muhyiddin briefly replying that he would resign from the post effective Jan 1 this year.
Marzuki, however, did not name the Pas leaders who demanded Muhyiddin step down.
He nevertheless claimed that the Pas information chief had announced Muhyiddin's resignation "prematurely".
"Muhyiddin finally listened to his conscience and acted on his instincts.
"The relentless pressure in the PN MPs' WhatsApp group for him to step aside was merely a contributing factor.
"He made a rational choice for himself."
Marzuki also called for those who asked Muhyiddin, who is also the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president, to reconsider his resignation as PN chairman to respect his decision.
"There are those who want Muhyiddin to continue leading. It is their right to express that wish.
"However, resigning is also Muhyiddin's right. His right should be respected," he said.
Muhyiddin, on Dec 29, had announced his resignation as PN chairman.
His resignation followed alleged tension between Bersatu and Pas over claims that several Perlis PN assemblymen had signed statutory declarations to withdraw support Pas' Sanglang assemblyman Mohd Shukri Ramli as the menteri besar.
Shukri eventually stepped down as menteri besar and was succeeded by Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah of Bersatu.
On Jan 1, Muhyiddin stressed that he remained Bersatu president and that his party would stay in PN. (hyperlink: )
Despite his resignation, several Bersatu leaders called for Muhyiddin to review his decision to step down as the coalition's chairman.
The following day, Hadi had said that Pas would take over the PN leadership and confirmed that the new chairman would be from Pas and not Bersatu. - NST
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