MUHYIDDIN Yassin is taking steps to ensure that Bersatu’s cooperation with Umno and PAS goes smoothly without any interference from others, said Marzuki Yahya.

That was why the Bersatu president had taken action against those who spoke out against the Perikatan Nasional (PN) pact, Marzuki said.

He said this when asked to comment on his removal as Penang Bersatu chief earlier this week.

“My dismissal was for his own interest because I am not in line with him.

“Action is being taken against those not with the president, including those who were the party’s co-founders,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

In separate letters dated June 2, Muhyiddin has removed Marzuki and Akhramsyah Muamar Ubaidah Sanusi of their respective duties as Penang chief and party supreme council member.

The two leaders are aligned to Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s faction.

Their removal comes a week after Dr Mahathir and four others were told by the party that they had lost their Bersatu membership for joining the opposition, Pakatan Harapan.

Among the five MPs were three Bersatu founders, Dr Mahathir (chairman), Mukhriz Mahathir (deputy president) and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (youth chief).

The party is divided by infighting involving Muhyiddin and Dr Mahathir over their political alignments.

“The removal is to ensure that there is no internal opposition to Muhyiddin’s plan to cooperate with Umno.

“This is part of the president’s effort to keep the Bersatu-Umno cooperation strong,” added Marzuki.

He also said he is still Bersatu’s secretary-general as his removal from the post was unconstitutional.

“I don’t have to fight (against Muhyiddin’s actions).

“I remain steadfast in my stand to be against the president’s decision to work with Umno and PAS,” he said.

The dismissal of Marzuki and Akramsyah were effective immediately but the letters did not mention their position as party members.

Muhyiddin also signed the letter as acting chairman, while Dr Mahathir maintained that he is still the legitimate party chairman.

The party, headed by Muhyiddin, is set to hold an emergency meeting later today, reportedly to confirm the decision to “sack” Dr Mahathir and his supporters, and also to discuss future plans with Umno.

Muhyiddin, who is also prime minister, prefers to work with Umno and PAS in the PN government. He also has the support of most of the Bersatu’s MPs.

Dr Mahathir, meanwhile, is aligned with PH, and has the support of four other Bersatu MPs, including his son Mukhriz. – June 4, 2020.