BERSATU president Muhyiddin Yassin has been exposed to “Umno’s disease” because he is inclined to do things that are against the party constitution, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister, who is also Bersatu chairman, accused Muhyiddin of violating the party’s constitution.

“I find that Muhyiddin may have been infected by Umno, for doing something that is not in the party’s constitution,” he said. 

Dr Mahathir was responding to Muhyiddin’s appointment of former Umno member Hamzah Zainuddin as secretary-general in place of Marzuki Yahya.

On March 26, Muhyiddin said Marzuki was no longer Bersatu secretary-general but replaced by Hamzah effective March 18.

Hamzah cannot be the party secretary general because the post was not discussed with him, said Dr Mahathir.

“If he is appointed, then there must be discussion with me (as the chairman). But the supreme council has made conditions to allow Umno members into Bersatu.”

Dr Mahathir said former Umno members cannot hold positions or contest in elections.

“Muhiyiddin is still adamant in calling Hamzah Bersatu secretary-general. This is wrong. Marzuki still holds the post.

“So, to name Hamzah (as secretary-general) is against the policies and decision of the supreme council.

“I’m sad to see Muhiyiddin not holding to principles.”

He said this is Muhiyiddin’s way of getting support to remain as prime minister.

“By offering others the positions of ministers and deputy ministers, so they will support him.

“But, this has to be tested in Parliament and see if he truly has the support of the majority.

“He is getting the support because he offers them high positions, if not, they will support me.”

Dr Mahathir said Muhiyiddin’s actions will see the destruction of Bersatu.

“If there is an election now and Bersatu loses, the party is destroyed because we don’t have the support of Pakatan Harapan or Umno.

“I’m not adamant to become prime minister again as I already held the post twice.

“All I want to see is that the party constitution is followed.” – May 14, 2020.