Suspended Bersatu supreme council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has declared party president Muhyiddin Yassin “no longer relevant.” The Machang MP cited a disconnect with grassroots and poor electoral results under Muhyiddin’s leadership.
Electoral Setbacks Highlight Issues
Wan Fayhsal pointed to Bersatu’s heavy losses in the 2021 Melaka and 2022 Johor state elections. “I was on the ground, I spoke to voters, and they told me this,” he told reporters in Parliament. He criticized campaigns that focused too much on Muhyiddin personally rather than key issues.
Unlike Najib Razak’s “Bossku” appeal built on a decade of achievements, Muhyiddin’s two-year tenure—largely during Covid-19—was hard to promote. “That was difficult to sell to voters,” Wan Fayhsal said.
He accused Muhyiddin of listening only to a small group, including Azmin Ali and Ahmad Faizal Azumu, both election losers. “Those of us who won and worked closely with PAS were sidelined,” he claimed.
PM Candidate Decision Criticized
Wan Fayhsal called naming Muhyiddin as Perikatan Nasional’s prime ministerial candidate a mistake that upset allies like PAS and risked offending the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. “There was no need,” he stressed.
The leadership fosters a “culture of fear” to silence dissent, punishing those who raise concerns for improvement. “When issues are raised internally and ignored, what choice do we have but to speak up?” he asked.
Warning of Party Collapse
Disciplinary actions against him and others show growing intolerance. “If you keep silencing and sacking everyone, the party will collapse. We need fighters, not ‘yes men’,” Wan Fayhsal warned, predicting more MPs and division chiefs will voice concerns soon.
Despite suspension, he insists on speaking out to reform the party. “No one is bigger than the party, not even the president,” he said, denying any plans to leave Bersatu.
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