THE Bersatu supreme council has endorsed Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to form political alliances under the Perikatan Nasional banner, said Hamzah Zainudin.

The party secretary-general, in a statement today, said the council’s meeting last night agreed that the decision to form the Bersatu-led PN is in line with the party’s aims, objectives and principles.

The meeting was the first to be held since February 23 talks in which it was decided that Bersatu would leave Pakatan Harapan.

The following day, president Muhyiddin announced the party’s exit from the pact, resulting in the PH government’s collapse. Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down as prime minister the same day.

A week later, Muhyiddin was sworn in as prime minister after securing support from Barisan Nasional, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, some Sabah parties and a handful of former PKR leaders.

“The supreme council meeting (yesterday) affirmed the decision made at the last meeting on February 23 to exit PH,” said Hamzah.

“Muhyiddin’s announcement on leaving PH, made in his capacity as acting chairman, is valid and in order.”

The council’s endorsement comes at a time when party founder Dr Mahathir is disputing Muhyiddin’s decision to work with BN lynchpin Umno and PN as a whole.

The former prime minister’s insistence that Bersatu remains part of PH has caused a rift in the party.

He is also said to be working behind the scenes to ensure PH has the numbers to topple the PN government.

In the past week, Muhyiddin has moved to consolidate his hold on Bersatu by removing his rivals, including Dr Mahathir.

The Langkawi MP and four others, namely deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir, youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Amiruddin Hamzah and supreme council member Maszlee Malik, lost their party memberships for working with the opposition. However, they have insisted that they are still members and continue to hold party posts.

Hamzah said yesterday’s supreme council meeting endorsed and formalised the five lawmakers’ loss of membership.

Other decisions endorsed by the council include Marzuki Yahya’s sacking as secretary-general and replacement with Hamzah, and Muhammad Suhaimi Yahya remaining as organising secretary despite his removal from the post by Dr Mahathir last week.

Bersatu thanked Dr Mahathir and all those who left to support PH.

“The supreme council also supports and gives its full mandate to president Muhyiddin as a prime minister appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” said Hamzah. – June 5, 2020.