PETALING JAYA: Bersatu leaders were upset when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin decided to give up the president's post in 2024 without consulting them because they wanted his leadership to continue, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
The Bersatu secretary-general said "someone else" should not lead the party or Perikatan Nasional because it would not yield a positive result in the next election.
However, he said the party had engaged in "soft diplomacy" with its deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin over the years, and likened those stirring up internal trouble to "mischievous children who need guidance."
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Speaking in an interview with Chinese media Oriental Daily on Thursday (Feb 12), the Selangor Opposition Leader acknowledged that some members and leaders within the party had attempted to stir disputes.
He said the central leadership had adopted a "soft diplomacy" approach over the past three years, resolving issues through dialogue, including multiple meetings between Muhyiddin and the relevant leaders.
"We have been patient for the past three years. Now, it cannot be said that our actions are too harsh.
"First, we sent representatives to communicate with them and engaged in 'soft diplomacy'.
"Muhyiddin sat down with Hamzah many times to try to unite and cooperate within the party.
"We have gone through that process. But at a certain stage, we must be decisive so that all members, including leaders, comply with the party constitution.
"Whether you are the president or deputy president, you must act in accordance with the party constitution for the party to grow," he said.
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He noted that although Bersatu was established only nine years ago, it has about 90 representatives in Parliament and state assemblies, a significant result in a short time.
"We have experienced leaders, whether at the state or federal level. Of course there will be challenges, but that's politics.
"To me, this is part of the maturation process. Just like a child growing to seven years old, there will always be some mischief, and they need guidance and education.
"Umno has gone through it, PKR has gone through it.
"I don’t want to name anyone but if someone else leads Bersatu or Perikatan, can we win the next election?
"The party unanimously elected Muhyiddin as president two years ago and he was returned unopposed with the full support of members.
"Although he expressed a desire to retire from politics three years ago, we decided not to let him step down.
"We clearly told him, 'No, you must stay.'
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"Therefore, in the party elections two years ago, he was elected with unanimous approval from all members.
"The (leadership) term is three years. So I do not see this as a crisis. In fact, we are the only party talking about a succession plan.
"Tell me, which other party talks about succession planning? Umno doesn’t, Anwar doesn’t, and neither do other parties," he added.
He also said that two motions were unanimously passed at last year’s Bersatu general assembly.
"One was confirming Muhyiddin as the party’s 'poster boy', and the other called for him to remain in office until the end of his term. Where is the crisis?
"We must also send a clear signal to the people: those who break the rules must face consequences.
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"Otherwise, others will say that if we compromise before coming to power, we will be even less daring in handling our own people once in power.
"Leadership requires decisiveness and courage to make decisions in the interests of the people and the nation," he added.
Internal conflicts within Bersatu worsened after Muhyiddin resigned as chairman of Perikatan with effect from Jan 1, with growing calls within the party for him to step down as president.
Counter-calls also emerged urging Hamzah to resign from his current position as deputy president.
In addition, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee accused the leadership of abusing disciplinary procedures and called on Muhyiddin to resign to restore trust within the party and among its Perikatan allies.
