BERSATU has vowed to give a strong performance in the next general election and make a “comeback” to lead the government once again, said party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

However, Muhyiddin cautioned his party that it could not be achieved by Bersatu alone. He said a realistic target would require the teamwork of its Perikatan Nasional (PN) allies.

“PN and hopefully, I, as the chairman of the coalition will take part in the next election.

“God willing, with Allah’s permission and the support of the people, we will make a comeback.

“Our policy is that we cannot face the elections alone. We need the support of the PN parties, and our other partners like PBS and GPS, to win the next general election and form the government,” the former prime minister said in a virtual address during Bersatu’s fifth anniversary celebration tonight.

Muhyiddin tendered his resignation on August 16, after he had lost his majority in Parliament.

Having inexplicably jumped ship in February 2020, just 22 months into Pakatan Harapan’s maiden term in office, Muhyiddin’s Bersatu formed an uneasy alliance with Umno, obtaining the Malay nationalist party’s grudging support throughout PN’s tenure.

However, Umno was unhappy most of the time for being sidelined in important government decisions; Muhyiddin snubbing its MPs for major cabinet posts; and perceived sabotage in the Sabah elections last September.

In July, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Umno Supreme Council had agreed to withdraw support for Muhyiddin effective immediately, leaving the then prime minster with no option but to quit.

Last month, Umno’s Ismail Sabri Yaakob, 61, was appointed prime minister after satisfying the Agong that he had sufficient backing in the House.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said that the party must do the necessary work for the next elections, with an aim to make Bersatu the party of choice for the people and “avoid infighting, avoid the feeling of jealousy and envy”.

“We need to strengthen unity and strengthen our co-operation with PN component parties at all levels, especially at the divisional level and also at the branches,” he said.

Until the next election, Muhyiddin said it is imperative for the Bersatu and other PN component parties to continue backing Ismail. 

Muhyiddin tonight reiterated that the party had extended its conditional support to Ismail as it wanted to prevent the kleptocrats from coming to power.

He alleged that Pakatan Harapan (PH) would have returned to power with the backing of certain kleptocrat leaders, but did not elaborate.

“What if I and all Bersatu MPs do not take any stand in the appointment of the new prime minister and the formation of a government after that?

“PH with the support of kleptocratic groups would likely have returned to the government and Bersatu would have become the opposition.

“So, I thought rationally and discussed with fellow party MPs and party leaders in PN, as well as our partners, GPS and PBS, to nominate Ismail.

“In this case, Bersatu and members of PN will continue to work in the government and they can continue their efforts to restore the country until the next election is called, where the mandate would be returned to the people to elect a new government,” he said. – September 10, 2021.