DR Mahathir Mohamad supported the plan of taking Bersatu out of Pakatan Harapan to start a new coalition, said Dr Radzi Jidin.

“But Dr Mahathir decided not to follow through with the plan as he did not agree with the party decision,” said the Bersatu information chief in a statement today.

Radzi, who is the senior minister (Education), said Dr Mahathir had been pressured by PKR and DAP to resign as prime minister.

He said Bersatu leaders and members did not like the pressure and many felt that they could no longer work in PH.

“Leaders were also unhappy with DAP’s actions and wanted the party to re-examine their relationship with the party in PH.

“As such, it was decided to take the party out of PH to form a new coalition,” said Radzi.

Radzi was responding to disputed Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya who said taking Bersatu out of PH was not endorsed by its supreme council.

Radzi said the climax of the issue was during the Bersatu supreme council meeting on February 23, when Dr Mahathir was told that he had the support of Bersatu, Umno, PAS, GPS, Warisan and a group of PKR MPs led by Mohamed Azmin Ali.

“With this support, Dr Mahathir could have formed a new government and still be prime minister.

“But Dr Mahathir did not agree to this and wanted to remain in PH, because it was decided on February 21 (at the PH presidential council meeting) that he could decide when he should resign as prime minister,” said Radzi.

Despite Dr Mahthir’s disapproval, the Bersatu MPs went on to meet BN and PAS MPs at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya in a show of force.

The following day, after Dr Mahathir had resigned as prime minister, Muhyiddin announced Bersatu’s withdrawal from the coalition. 

As for Muhyiddin’s decision to take Bersatu out of PH, Radzi said that the president was right to do so as after Dr Mahathir had resigned as chairman on February 24.

“After Dr Mahathir’s resignation, Muhyiddin automatically became the chairman.”

He said the Article 16.9 of the party constitution said the president must take over the chairman’s post after the latter’s resignation.

“Although, the Bersatu supreme council subsequently rejected Dr Mahathir’s resignation, there is no provision for Bersatu to take him back as chairman.”

Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir are currently embroiled in a power struggle in the party as the 94-year-old wants the party to be back in PH.

Bersatu was formed in 2017 by Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin to take on Barisan Nasional in the general election. The group then joined PKR, DAP and Amanah to form PH.

After winning the elections in 2018, PH went on to form a new government with Parti Warisan Sabah. The PH government collapsed whne Muhyiddin took Bersatu out and formed a new government with BN, PAS and Gabungan Parti Sarawak. – May 9, 2020.