PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is in good health despite rumours, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
The Perikatan Nasional secretary-general was responding to the poison texts circulating among Bersatu division leaders regarding the health of their president, who is also Perikatan chairman.
"Muhyiddin's health is good. The person spreading rumours that he isn't is the one not mentally well. I myself meet him almost every day nowadays in connection with the upcoming Bersatu annual general assembly on Sept 6 and 7.
"He is now busy preparing his keynote speech for the Bersatu annual general meeting (AGM). He has been working with grassroots groups in the states over the past six months in preparation for the next general election," said Azmin.
He said this at a media conference on Tuesday (Sept 2) on the preparations for the next Bersatu AGM, which would be held in Shah Alam on Sept 6 and 7.
"Any attempt to remove Muhyiddin as the president before the next general election will be overwritten, as the last Bersatu AGM, which is the highest platform for decision-making, passed a resolution that Muhyiddin will remain as Bersatu president until the next general election. Statutory declarations (SD) signed by Bersatu division leaders hold no weight and are irrelevant under the party constitution," said Azmin.
On the final day of Bersatu’s 6th AGM on Nov 25, 2023, Bersatu delegates nationwide passed a motion to reject Muhyiddin's decision not to defend his presidential post in the last party polls.
Muhyiddin then agreed to stay, stating that his wife approved.
Sources state that so far, out of the 202 Bersatu division leaders, less than 50 have allegedly signed an SD stating that Muhyiddin should step down and his deputy, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, be appointed the president.
Hamzah was the Opposition Leader in Dewan Rakyat, representing Perikatan.
A few division leaders from Selangor and Kedah, when contacted, said that a Bersatu supreme council member had approached them with an SD template requesting that they sign it before the AGM.
Ampang Bersatu division chief Mohd Isa Saidi, in a statement, said that the issue of maintaining Muhyiddin as the president and a possible prime minister candidate should not arise.
"Why should we name a candidate who is not even the choice of Perikatan component PAS? This party is bigger than just one person. Muhyiddin too has given hints that he will step back for his deputy, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, to take over," said Mohd Isa.
Meanwhile, Hang Tuah Jaya Bersatu division in Melaka chief Mohd Azrudin Md Idrus said poison letters have also been circulated among party members condemning Hamzah.
"Such poison letters only prove the leadership of Hamzah, who is being attacked from within the party. This is not our party culture," said Mohd Azrudin.
