Muhyiddin says he’s Bersatu chairman, sec-gen disagrees

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 4 years ago · Published on 29 Feb 2020 12:28PM · 7 Comments

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin says he is also the party chairman since Dr Mahathir Mohamad resigned on Monday. However, on Thursday Dr Mahathir Mohamad retracted his resignation. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 29, 2020.

MUHYIDDIN Yassin today launched a coup against Dr Mahathir Mohamad by declaring he has replaced the 94-year-old as Bersatu chairman.

“Dr Mahathir resigned as Bersatu chairman on Monday.

“According to the Rule 16.9 of the party constitution, the president will take over as chairman in the event of a termination or resignation.

“As Bersatu has not held party elections to choose a new chairman, I, as president, will take over as chairman too,” said Muhyiddin in a statement today.

However, in an immediate reaction, Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya said Dr Mahathir is still chairman.

“In line with the principles of the rule of law and the party constitution, the only individual with absolute power to lead the party is the Bersatu chairman, which is Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Therefore, party actions and direction is subject to the decision of the Bersatu chairman,” he said in a statement today.

On Monday evening, Bersatu supreme council had decided to reject Dr Mahathir’s resignation.

Dr Mahathir on Thursday said he had retracted his resignation.

In his statement this morning declaring he is back in the race to be prime minister, Dr Mahathir reiterated he is against any form of cooperation with individuals who are known to be corrupt and was part of the kleptocratic administration which the Pakatan Harapan government had worked hard to remove.

“As a matter of principle I had conveyed this to the Bersatu MPs in a meeting yesterday.”

Dr Mahathir said he did not sign a statutory declaration in support of any individual to be prime minister.

“In fact I left the meeting early to allow for a free debate among Bersatu MPs to choose whoever they feel is suited for the post of prime minister.

“As I have stated before, while I am not prepared to work with those who are corrupt from Umno, I can accept them individually so long as they are proven clean.

“Perhaps Muhyiddin is more relaxed in this approach.” – February 29, 2020.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Things being twisted here and there. Just doesn't end.
    Come on just let your yes be yes and no be know.
    Don't play with the rakyat emotion.

    Posted 4 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • So finally you are admitting it's a coup & not about defending Dr M's term as PM, tq.

    Posted 4 years ago by A Subscriber · Reply

  • Leopard is finally showing the spots again. Your hidden agenda is revealed!

    Posted 4 years ago by Alex Lim · Reply

  • Normally a cancer victim in his last stage want to find peace with God and family

    Posted 4 years ago by S L · Reply

  • Bersatu has just committed suicide by aligning with UMNO and PAS. This is not the Muhyiddin I can imagine so stupid!

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Crook, incompetent, clowns

    Posted 4 years ago by Ashhad Alam · Reply

  • Not using his head. Go down in history as the destroyer of democratic society, integrity, trust and loyalty.

    Posted 4 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply