PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has emerged from the shadows of his predecessor – Dr Mahathir Mohamad – to make Bersatu his own as shown by the results of the party election, said political analysts.

In the new line-up, Bersatu president Muhyiddin has managed to solidify the party wings after ousting former chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and breaking away from Pakatan Harapan that led to collapse of the coalition government in February.

Muhyiddin has managed to expel antagonists from his party and replaced them with those he trusts to back his agenda as the country’s eighth prime minister with a wafer-thin parliamentary majority.

Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research executive director Ibrahim Suffian said Muhyiddin has solidified his position as party president to head into a possible snap election with Bersatu.

“I think the election has consolidated the party around those loyal to Muhyiddin.

“This can potentially stabilise the party in the short term as it faces a possible snap election as well as challenges from Dr Mahathir and those who joined Pejuang,” he said referring to Dr Mahathir’s new party.

Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Awang Pawi said it is clear that Dr Mahathir’s faction in Bersatu was ousted judging by the current poll results.

“Dr Mahathir’s faction lost. In the context of Bersatu, the Muhyiddin loyalists have won. Dr Mahathir’s supporters have been silenced.

“It is also interesting to note, for some of the members that stayed on, it is only because Muhyiddin is PM and they hope it benefits them,” he told the Malaysian Insight.

Before the party elections were announced, Bersatu published an advertorial in major Malay newspapers to announce the sacking of 282 pro-Dr Mahathir members, including founder member Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi and Bersatu Youth information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin.

Analysts said this move has fractured the already small Bersatu, which was set up as a mirror to Umno before the 2018 general election.

“Bersatu is divided, this means the base support is torn. Members who are here are loyal to Muhyiddin or his influence as PM.

“This is happening to a party that already has a small following. Eventually, Bersatu will swallow itself compared to the likes of Umno and PAS,” Awang said.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said those who remained in Bersatu are looking for positions or enrichment that may come their way as they are part of the ruling coalition – Perikatan Nasional.

“The Bersatu grassroots are fractured. They are not as strong as they were before. Bersatu did not have the strength it had during the 2018 general election.

“The ones who stayed are looking for political gains. If they do not get what they want, a lot more will be quitting the party soon,” he said.

Analysts said the reason why certain quarters stuck with Bersatu is because Muhyiddin has proven himself to be a capable leader during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hisommudin said Muhyiddin’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, issues surrounding Malay rights and Islam are well-liked by party loyalists.

“Muhyiddin’s strength is from his popularity as PM. The members that stayed are somewhat dependent on the government.

“Muhyiddin’s image is well-received by the Malay community and now Bersatu is still in government.

“That sells,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Awang said Muhyiddin has performed well as he has not responded to media queries, taken questions in press conferences and not even responding to Dr Mahathir’s incessant jabs.

“He is keeping quiet and does not respond to Dr Mahathir. This is a very smart strategy.

“In a way, he is making Dr Mahathir irrelevant because there is no to and fro. He also handled the Covid-19 issue well and showed there was no politicking.”

Ibrahim, meanwhile, said this party election solidified Muhyiddin’s position to negotiate with Umno and PAS for a better position ahead of the polls.

“The party has to get ready for the GE, a lot depends on how many seats it gets to contest which in turn is dependent on how many seats it gets from Umno.

”If it’s sizeable, then the party will be able to better consolidate, otherwise it may face higher resentment and those seeking positions may turn to other parties, including Dr Mahathir’s Pejuang,” he said.

Muhyiddin retained his Bersatu presidency uncontested in July. His deputy is the current Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He is currently in the midst of negotiating to establish Perikatan Nasional as an official coalition before the election despite hesitations from Umno to join the already registered entity. – August 23, 2020.