Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended party president Muhyiddin Yassin amid calls for the latter to step down.
This was after some members in Perak, led by Ipoh Timur Bersatu chief Azrul Suhadi Ahmad Mokhtar, publicly called for Muhyiddin's resignation.
"I believe those proposing this move want to see Bersatu fail in its struggle, hence they also want to to see me fail and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak succeed.
"They claim to support me but they are in fact my enemies and are fighting for Najib. If they press on with this effort, then I agree that they should be remove from the party.
"There is not room for Najib supporters in Bersatu," Mahathir said in a blog posting today.
Mahathir pointed out that Muhyiddin was only a heartbeat away from the premiership when he chose to speak out against Najib.
"We know it is difficult to convince Umno leaders, particularly those who still hold positions in the government or are ministers, to leave Umno.
"Even those who leave, including former ministers, are reluctant to join us in fighting Umno. They do not dare come near me or Bersatu which is vocal in demanding that Najib be removed.
"Muhyiddin, unlike the rest who have lost their positions, did not distance himself from me," he said.
Instead, Mahathir said Muhyiddin was more than willing to accommodate him, including allowing the former prime minister to be Bersatu chairperson which is seen to be a more senior position than the president.
"He (Muhyiddin) has done much to ensure Bersatu's success, much more than those who are suggesting that he be ousted.
"If he is removed today, the party will split as many party members support him. We will then fail in our effort to win the 14th general election," warned Mahathir.
On Saturday, Azrul was reported as saying that a large number of the 24 Bersatu divisions in Perak feel that Muhyiddin is responsible for all the deviations in the party at the state and national levels.
According to him, this is because Muhyiddin was never sincere to Mahathir and Bersatu supporters.
In July 2016, Najib had dropped Muhyiddin as deputy prime minister over the latter's critical views concerning 1MDB.- Mkini
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