Muhyiddin says won’t defend Bersatu president’s post

He says it’s ‘time to let go’ of the reins of the party he founded.

(FMT) – Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that he will not defend his post in next year’s party elections.

He said Bersatu has many capable leaders and it is time for him to let go of the reins of the party.

“It’s time to let go. I will not defend the president’s post for the next term,” he told delegates at Bersatu’s annual general assembly here today, leading to cries of “no” from the crowd.

“This is important so that the party’s strengths can be harnessed more effectively for the future.

“My final message (is) please take good care of the party. I pray that the transition process will be conducted in an orderly and harmonious manner.”

Last week, FMT quoted Muhyiddin as saying he was aware of calls for a change in the party leadership, including by Eddin Syazlee Shith, a Bersatu Supreme Council member, who earlier said a reshuffle was needed to fill a “void” in the party.

Muhyiddin said while party elections allowed for members to choose their leaders, he was worried that such democratic practices would lead to a less than desirable outcome.

“If there is a contest, it could divide the party into camps, like what occurred in Umno,” he said.

Muhyiddin, a former prime minister, has served as Bersatu president since the party’s inception in 2016.