Muhyiddin vs Mukhriz (Mahathir): Experts weigh in on what this means for Bersatu… and Malaysia

“Without Dr Mahathir, Bersatu can no longer command its own electoral support in a general election without Umno and PAS’ help, which of course comes with a hefty political price”

(MMO) – Clashes within a political party and the fight for top spot are nothing unusual whenever it comes time for party elections. The same holds true for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

With one major difference.

The personalities involved here have considerable influence on the rest of the country. Not just members of Bersatu.

There is current party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the prime minister of Malaysia, then there is the one challenging him for the party post — Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, former mentri besar of Kedah and son of Bersatu’s former chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was also the country’s previous prime minister and father of Mukhriz.

So there you have it: two very distinct camps within the party. One helmed by Muhyiddin and the other by Mahathir and Mukhriz.

Analysts point out that what happens next is weighing on how well Mukhriz does against Muhyiddin as the outcome will determine the political future of the nonagenarian and those within his faction.

Who has the upper hand?

Universiti Malaya Associate Prof Madya Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi sees the upcoming party elections as a double-edged sword for Bersatu, with any outcome set to split the factions and party further.

If Mukhriz wins, Awang Azman said losing candidate Muhyiddin would almost certainly initiate a vote of no-confidence against the newly-elected president in an immediate retaliation.

“But if Mukhriz loses, he will lose a platform to manoeuvre in local politics; Mukhriz’s political career will be over if he is not assisted by Pakatan Harapan (PH),” he said.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Prof Azmi Hassan feels that Mukhriz will be fighting an uphill battle against Muhyiddin for the presidency, with the latter having a firmer grip on the party and with the added advantage of being able to command stronger support as prime minister.

Azmi predicts that Muhyiddin will win by a landslide which would significantly dent Dr Mahathir’s hopes of controlling the party.

“But the question is, when will the Bersatu elections be held? As for Muhyiddin, the earliest possible date is good for him with all decisions regarding the party basically at his pleasure right now.

“If Bersatu’s election were to be held in the near future and Mukhriz loses big, then this will spell the end of Tun Dr Mahathir, not only in Bersatu but also PH,” Azmi said.

Senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs Oh Ei Sun said Mukhriz contesting for the presidency is an obvious sign that Dr Mahathir is not ready to relinquish his power in the party just yet.

Oh said if Mukhriz fails, a breakaway might occur with supporters of Dr Mahathir expected to defect from Bersatu along with him.

“But I think Mukhriz will likely lose, and the Dr Mahathir camp will cry foul about irregularities and so on and make their exit.

“If push comes to shove, father and son can always form another party,” he said.

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