A deepening rift within Bersatu, Malaysia’s prominent opposition party, has raised concerns about its cohesion as it prepares for the 16th General Election (GE16). Marzuki Mohamad, a former principal private secretary to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, described the party as afflicted by a “chronic illness” due to internal divisions over leadership decisions, warning that unchecked discord could destabilize the party further.
In a recent Facebook post, Marzuki highlighted the growing tensions, stating, “A chronic illness is plaguing Bersatu. If this issue remains unaddressed, it will spread further.” He noted that while the party boasts over 90 elected representatives at federal and state levels, its unity is at risk. “This illness may currently affect only a few, but without a remedy, it will spread,” he cautioned.
The internal strife came to a head during Bersatu’s annual assembly last weekend, where Muhyiddin faced open dissent. The assembly was marred by the circulation of poison-pen letters and vocal outbursts from delegates, bringing previously subdued disagreements into the public eye. On Saturday night, a commotion erupted after Muhyiddin addressed claims that some members had been collecting signatures for a petition urging him to resign as party president. A small group of delegates called for his resignation, while the majority countered with chants of “Hidup Tan Sri” in a show of support.
Muhyiddin criticized the petition as an inappropriate tactic, warning that such methods could also be used to target other leaders. Despite the unrest, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin reaffirmed his loyalty to Muhyiddin the following day, attempting to quell speculation about a leadership crisis.
Reports prior to the assembly suggested that 122 division chiefs had signed statutory declarations pressing Muhyiddin to initiate a leadership transition before GE16, fueling speculation about the party’s direction. The discord centers on differing views among leaders regarding strategy and the choice of prime ministerial candidate, highlighting the challenges Bersatu faces in maintaining unity as the election approaches.
The public airing of these grievances underscores the urgency for Bersatu to address its internal divisions. With GE16 looming, the party’s ability to present a united front will be critical to its electoral prospects. Marzuki’s warning serves as a stark reminder that unresolved conflicts could jeopardize Bersatu’s influence and stability in Malaysia’s competitive political landscape.
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