THE Bersatu elections next year will decide the party’s leadership in the post-Dr Mahathir Mohamad era, said president Muhyiddin Yassin, hinting that he, too, might not stay another term.

He said there are no discussions on a succession plan for the top leadership, and the party is leaving it to voting members and delegates to decide.

Muhyiddin, who is also home minister, indicated that all posts, including his, will be eligible to contest in what will be the three-year-old party’s first polls.

“There has been no discussion at all on succession. Till today, it’s the status quo – Dr Mahathir is the chairman, I am the president and Mukhriz (Mahathir) is the deputy president,” he said on whether Bersatu has a succession plan for when Dr Mahathir leaves office.

Dr Mahathir has said he will hand over the reins as prime minister to Anwar Ibrahim in the middle of the Pakatan Harapan government’s five-year term. Anwar is president of PKR, a component of the pact that also includes Bersatu.

“Next year, we (Bersatu) will have elections. Since we practise democracy, whoever fills a post is up to the delegates,” he told The Malaysian Insight in a special interview ahead of the party’s annual general meeting this weekend.

“I am sure there will be changes. If someone wants to take over my post, it’s okay. I am tired, but I will still fulfil my responsibilities.

“I believe we will see changes at all levels, and I think members know who they want and who they want to replace. They will choose, not me. They will decide.”

Bersatu, the youngest party in PH, was set up in 2016 by former Umno leaders, including Muhyiddin, Dr Mahathir and Mukhriz, who had opposed the leadership of then Umno president and prime minister Najib Razak.

Bersatu and PKR, along with DAP and Amanah, formed PH to take on Barisan Nasional in the 14th general election.

There has been speculation on who will take over the Bersatu leadership from Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin, who is undergoing cancer therapy.

Muhyiddin said the party’s struggle, ideology and culture will remain the same regardless of who takes over.

“As long as the moon and stars shine, Bersatu will remain the same. Leaders come and go, but the party’s struggle will continue.

“Dr Mahathir has already set out the party’s direction, its style, its language and its culture. This will be a guide for future leaders.

“I will also leave shortly and be replaced by another person. But the party will continue irrespective of who the leader is.

“What’s important is what the party stands for. We have to be consistent and clear, so that the people will continue to support us.” – December 28, 2018.