I can’t stay for too long, Bersatu needs new leadership, says Muhyiddin

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu needs new leadership soon, says party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He added that there are credible young leaders who can steer the ship, refuting voices within the party saying that Bersatu would not be the same without him.

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“I can’t stay on for too long and I believe it is time for new leadership to take over. I think in the next one or two years. I will stay for however long I am needed. Surely, it won’t be long. A change will happen in Bersatu through a democratic system," said Muhyiddin.

“Bersatu is a party for the Malay struggle, not for Muhyiddin. This is the basis of my struggle since the beginning and it is being continued by the present leadership,” he added in an interview with Sinar Harian on Sunday (Feb 18).

Just after one day of announcing that he wouldn't defend his position in November last year, Muhyiddin said he would be contesting for another term.

This came after the Bersatu general assembly last year unanimously passed a motion to reject the decision made by Muhyiddin to not defend his post.

ALSO READ: Grassroots want Muhyiddin to stay on as president, says a shocked Peja

On questions about alleged infighting within Bersatu, Muhyiddin dismissed it as a “difference of opinions”, adding that at times disagreements happened due to “personal problems”.

“No camps, just difference of opinion and it’s not big enough to cause a split. As a founder, I don’t want to see or be the cause of a split. This struggle will be in vain and this is not a struggle for me or certain individuals in the party, but for the Malays, Islam," he said.

“If they (members) take this as a basic guide, it is not possible for a split to happen. Sometimes the arguments are about personal problems and we want to prevent this,” added Muhyiddin.

Recent reports claimed that Bersatu is witnessing a power struggle between its leaders to take over the presidency after Muhyiddin steps down.

Deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu however dismissed the claim, saying the leadership has resolved important issues and is now focusing on the people’s struggles.