Muhyiddin Yassin’s political journey should not be counted finished despite the serious challenges now facing Bersatu, according to an analyst who remains confident in the party president’s ability to overcome the uncertainty.
Muhyiddin seen as resilient fighter
Awang Azman Awang Pawi from Universiti Malaya said Muhyiddin’s current silence amid growing calls for him to step down as Bersatu president should not be viewed as a sign of weakness.
“We cannot underestimate nor sideline Muhyiddin. His extensive political experience makes him far more resilient than many assume,” he told FMT.
Awang Azman recalled how Muhyiddin unexpectedly became the country’s eighth prime minister in 2020 after the sudden resignation of Mahathir Mohamad.
He cautioned those aligned with sacked deputy president Hamzah Zainudin against assuming that Muhyiddin and Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali would buckle under internal pressure.
“They will not stand still. Both are fighters,” he said.
Awang Azman described the present situation as a “do-or-die” moment for Muhyiddin, who is rumoured to be working to reclaim the Perikatan Nasional chairmanship.
While acknowledging that Muhyiddin no longer enjoys the same level of backing from PAS, the analyst believes he is determined to regain firm control of Bersatu by appointing division leaders who support him.
Risk of losing grassroots backing
However, Awang Azman noted that Hamzah’s expulsion has triggered resignations among some divisional leaders, signalling deeper unrest and stronger grassroots trust in Hamzah.
“This reflects deeper unrest and greater trust in Hamzah at the grassroots level,” he said.
He urged Muhyiddin to act quickly to fill the resulting vacancies and prevent further loss of confidence among ordinary members.
Separately, Azmi Hassan from Akademi Nusantara said Hamzah’s suggestion of a political “reset” is widely interpreted as a step towards launching a new party.
Azmi warned that such a move could invite criticism that Hamzah is acting out of self-interest and might damage his standing within Bersatu.
“Politically, it could be a career-ending move,” he said.
Division leaders call for discipline
At the divisional level, Bersatu Supreme Council member and Tanjung Malim division chief Yadzan Mohammad said members who no longer align with Muhyiddin should leave the party.
“If they want, they can leave. We will restructure the party,” he told FMT.
Yadzan clarified that individual divisions cannot dissolve themselves; only the central leadership holds that authority.
He rejected claims of widespread defections, pointing out that divisions such as Pasir Salak remain divided in loyalty, with Muhyiddin still enjoying solid support in many areas.
“I don’t want him in the party if he splits the party,” Yadzan said in reference to Hamzah.
Bersatu Maran division chief Jasri Jamaludin supported this stance, dismissing as unfounded assertions by some division leaders that their divisions had been dissolved.
He stressed that the party constitution clearly reserves the power to dissolve divisions to the central leadership alone.
Jeram assemblyman Harisson Hassan, who heads the Kuala Selangor division, acknowledged that disagreements are inevitable in a party with nearly 200 divisions.
He emphasised the need for discipline and said Bersatu must now concentrate on rebuilding in preparation for upcoming elections.
