Sources: Bersatu leaders divided over decision to quit Pakatan

PETALING JAYA: As national politics plunges further into uncertainty, it appears that the decision by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to quit Pakatan Harapan has left a divide in the party.

According to a well-placed source within Bersatu, it was alleged that several leaders in the Bersatu Supreme Council did not agree with the decision to quit Pakatan.

The decision to quit Pakatan was announced by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a press statement issued on Facebook Monday (Feb 24).

"Some of them disagreed with Muhyiddin. Muhyiddin is the one forcing them to agree with this move to quit Pakatan. Some of them wanted to remain in Pakatan.”

As a result, the source said, this led to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s surprise resignation as the prime minister.

“Dr Mahathir disagrees with the decision for Bersatu to quit Pakatan. Because he’s alone in this, that’s why he resigned as MP. Dr Mahathir still believes in Pakatan, ” said the source.

Several sources privy to the matter also acknowledged claims of an internal split within Bersatu.

“It was a mixed response from the Supreme Council, ” the source said briefly.

Meanwhile, Bersatu youth (Armada) chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also posted a cryptic and vague tweet on Monday.

“I have conveyed my opinion to Dr Mahathir. The people must be prioritised, not politicking The people must be given priority over political plays. It's the people who are in power, not the chess player," tweeted Syed Saddiq.

The flurry of activity over a possible realignment of the country’s political landscape continues on Monday with several events taking place.

While Bersatu announced its departure from Pakatan, 11 PKR MPs aligned with Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali also announced their decision to quit the party.

Earlier, Azmin and Zuraida Kamaruddin were also sacked immediately from PKR, as announced by party Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.

DAP and PKR both held emergency meetings, while Gerakan will hold another meeting later in the afternoon.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail are slated to meet Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at 2pm.

Dr Mahathir, on the other hand, is believed to be meeting the King later at 5pm.