DR Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir are expected to retain their posts as Bersatu prepares for its first-ever elections, due in September.

Mukhriz, who is deputy president, said members do not seem to be interested in vying for his post, or those of Dr Mahathir (chairman) and Muhyiddin (president).

“The word from division leaders is, they are proposing no contests for the top three positions – chairman, president and deputy president,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

If there are nominations for these posts, said the Jerlun MP, elections will “definitely” be held.

“But, there are suggestions on the ground discouraging anyone from at least the chairmanship. It is a given that we still want him as chairman,” he said, referring to his father, Dr Mahathir.

Asked whether Dr Mahathir plans to remain in the post, Mukhriz said: “I suppose so. So far, no one wants to go against him.”

Mukhriz, who is also Kedah menteri besar, said party polls candidates must meet certain criteria, including holding membership for more than a year.

“There will be a process for nominations… I think at the state level, it will be the same.”

On Bersatu’s extraordinary general meeting on July 20, he said it is in preparation for the elections.

“The EGM is to pass amendments to our constitution, which is almost a cut-and-paste of the Umno one.

“Umno has moved on and amended its constitution, but ours is still old, and we need to look into that. We hope our members will agree to that.”

He added that the party leadership will go on a roadshow this month to explain proposed amendments to members.

On the polls format, Mukhriz said it will be “one man, one vote” at the branch and division levels.

“What we want to bring up at the EGM is whether we also want ‘one man, one vote’ for the supreme council.

“Right now, we might still have to go with the delegates’ system.”

It is probably not the best time to have the “one man, one vote” format for supreme council posts as not all of Bersatu’s branches are registered, he said.

“This system could be a little difficult to implement for voting all the way to the supreme council.” – July 2, 2019.