Bersatu’s senior leadership never considered seeking party president Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation following the defeat at the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, said party deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
He said this was because the party still needs a strong leader who also helms Perikatan Nasional.
“I consider Zaid Ibrahim’s view (for Muhyiddin to step down) to be his own, but as a PN leader, I see that Muhyiddin is still needed and his leadership still has no substitute in PN.
“So, thank you (for the advice given), but it didn’t even occur to us to discuss that matter. We are doing alright,” he told Malaysiakini.
Yesterday, Zaid, a former law minister, suggested that Muhyiddin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang both resign from their roles as party leaders to make way for young leaders with new ideas.
He attributed Pakatan Harapan’s win in Kuala Kubu Baharu to PN’s inability to offer voters anything.
Muhyiddin often talked about his achievements as prime minister while Hadi’s scare tactics were no longer relevant, Zaid said.
Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao won the by-election with a majority of 3,869 votes, defeating PN candidate Khairul Azhari Saut (10,131 votes), independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin (188 votes), and Hafizah Zainudin from Parti Rakyat Malaysia (152 votes).
Meanwhile, Faizal (above) said Zaid may have been expressing support for Bersatu when he made his suggestion.
“Those who gave that view may have done so because they want to express their support for PN.
“We say thank you and I’m sure a great leader like Muhyiddin knows when it’s time to leave or when he needs to continue leading, not for himself but for our party’s leadership and our cause,” he said.
He expressed his confidence in the party’s supporters, adding that the party will improve ahead of future elections.
Muhyiddin should go but not Hadi
At the same time, political observers said Muhyiddin should resign, but not Hadi.
Nusantara Strategic Research Academy (NASR) senior fellow Azmi Hassan said this is because PAS grassroots have different views between their leader and Muhyiddin.
The Islamist party is not facing any issues at the moment, whether internal or within the context of the country’s politics, he said.
“In fact, PAS is said to be strong, that’s why if we look at its past leaders, they only stepped down when they had a health problem and immediately ceased to become the party’s number one leader,” he told Malaysiakini.
This differed from Bersatu, where the grassroots demands a leader with a vision and a mission, Azmi said.
He said this was because of the seven Bersatu elected representatives who have pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which shows that issues exist within the party’s leadership.
Compared with PAS, Bersatu needs to be injected with a new lease of life, he said.
Muhyiddin should have resigned when he first made the announcement instead of being urged by the party supreme council to remain president, Azmi added.
Last November, Muhyiddin announced that he would not defend the Bersatu presidency in the party election to be held at the end of this year.
However, he then made a U-turn after Bersatu’s leadership did not agree with his resignation.
Bersatu needs a new lease of life
Commenting further, Azmi said Bersatu has no problems finding a replacement for Muhyiddin.
“Bersatu has no problems finding leaders to breathe new life into the party. It is also not short of support for its leadership.
“Faizal for example, Hamzah Zainudin or Radzi Jidin, even Azmin Ali himself are said to be able to bring new life to Bersatu, especially after the defeat in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election,” he said.
However, Faizal refuted this, responding that Muhyiddin has no issues breathing new life into PN.
He said the coalition performed its best in the 15th general election, based on the results.
PN still has support, as observed in the by-election, he added.
However, Azmi claimed that Muhyiddin’s resignation would have a positive effect on PN.
“If Muhyiddin resigns, the positive effect on PN should be new life, new ideas, new tactics, and new strategies.
“But this did not happen and the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election is said to be the end or even the conclusion of why Bersatu needs a new leader and PN needs a new chairperson,” he said.
At the same time, Faizal said Muhyiddin’s resignation would only threaten the unity of PN’s component parties.
PN moves as a team led by Muhyiddin, who is a factor in the coalition’s togetherness, he explained.
“So, if we decide to withdraw him, this will undermine the unity we have. Right now, a lot of our strength comes from him (Muhyiddin),” he said.
Hadi unfit to lead PN
Commenting on the need for PAS to lead PN, the Tambun MP said that should be the case.
“But the problem is that PAS’ top leadership, Hadi, is also difficult.
“Hadi’s leadership style is suitable for PAS, but for PN it would be difficult to take the coalition to the next level if Hadi does not change his style and manner of administration,” he said.
Azmi also expressed the view that Muhyiddin’s resignation could lead to the opposition being on friendlier terms with the federal government.
It is easier for PAS to be friendly with its enemies if there is justification or benefits to do so, he said.
He cited the example of Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor being on friendly terms with Anwar.
On the other hand, Bersatu had pushed away Umno, which is a component of the coalition government, he added. - Mkini
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