Bersatu’s handover conundrum

Headwinds: Is Muhyiddin facing dissatisfaction in the ranks of his party? — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

THE pressure within Perikatan Nasional for an action-oriented politician to lead the Opposition coalition is intensifying.

While Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has recently upped his game, the sentiment in the coalition and within his own party is that it is “too little, too late”.

The person who told me this insisted on speaking anonymously because things are so tense that Muhyiddin’s people are “hunting” those discussing the need for a swift succession within the party.

“They are threatening people with disciplinary action. They want to scare people away from discussing this. But the reality is, I think, you know, that very action shows that they realise the pressure is getting stronger,” he said.

“So they have to use whatever procedural or regulatory power that is placed within the party structure to ensure that he stays on.”

The Bersatu source continued: “But the pressure is increasing because PAS is getting agitated. It’s not moving fast enough.”

He said many in his party were beginning to discuss the necessity for a handover of the presidency to take place in September when the Bersatu General Assembly is scheduled to convene. Muhyiddin is supposed to be replaced by Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

“Muhyiddin has no problem with it. However, he is concerned about the division that might occur. He thinks Azmin might leave the party,” the source said, referring to Bersatu secretary- general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

He claimed that within the party, many Bersatu leaders are saying, “If Azmin wants to run away, he’s welcome to go”.

What exactly is the “it” that isn’t moving fast enough and is getting PAS agitated, I asked.

He said the same sentiment is apparent among Bersatu leaders at the grassroots level as well.

“But the leadership is not giving any clear direction on how we move forward.

“You know, Tan Sri Muhyiddin is not behaving like an Oppo-sition leader,” he said.

“I think he’s still feeling that he’s a prime minister. As a result, the aggressiveness that people expect from the Opposition cannot be seen from Tan Sri Muhyiddin.”

Playing devil’s advocate, I countered that based on Muhyiddin’s recent press statements, such as on the Petronas layoffs and the alleged framing of Yusoff Rawther with drug and fake gun possession charges, the Bersatu president seemed an agile enough Opposition leader.

“I agree completely with you about that, and I think Tan Sri Muhyiddin should be applauded for the change he has made.

“However, the unfortunate thing is that all he’s doing is issuing statements. People expect him to be more on the ground, to travel to the various places where elections are going to take place,” he said.

“People expect him not just to write statements on Facebook, but also to hold rallies to galvanise the grassroots and the activities of the party. So the expectation is much higher.”

Giving credit where it’s due, the Bersatu source conceded that Muhyiddin has made some changes.

“But unfortunately, I think it’s not just me; many people are seeing this as a desperate attempt by him to show that he’s still relevant,” he said.

According to the source, the best thing his party president can do is announce a proper handover plan so that everything will take place in a harmonious manner. “Then he will be seen as a statesman who’s willing to do things properly,” he said.

What will be the difference between Hamzah and Muhyiddin leading Perikatan?

The source stated that Hamzah is more aggressive than Muh-yiddin, but the Bersatu deputy president is held back by the fact that Muhyiddin is still the president. He claimed that since day one, Hamzah has been more active in providing true leadership for Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional.

“But of course, he’s a very guarded character. He’s a very loyal person to the person leading, so he’s very guarded in what he does. He doesn’t want to be seen as doing more than what Muhyiddin is doing. And I think this is not healthy for the party,” the source said.

Recently, there was a debate about whether Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is strong only because the Oppo-sition is weak. I posed that question to the source.

“It’s unfortunate because I agree. In fact, I can narrow it down further: Anwar is strong because Muhyiddin is weak,” he said.

“Let’s not confuse popularity with strength. Muhyiddin is a very popular leader. He has a track record, and that is why many people are willing to say he should utilise his track record and popularity to strengthen Perikatan Nasional and lead it. But not much is being done.”

I’ve been asked why the current Opposition is not as hebat (powerful) as Pakatan Harapan when it was opposing Barisan Nasional. So I asked the question of the Bersatu source.

“That falls on Muhyiddin’s shoulders because he is the one calling the shots. You look at the previous Opposition that was so strong because Anwar was there at the forefront even when he was in prison,” he said.

“Muhyiddin is not in prison, but he doesn’t want to be at the front. He doesn’t realise that he is carrying the burden of Azmin on his shoulders to the extent that he is blinded by his desire to protect Azmin, and this might cause his downfall.”

The Bersatu source contended that the biggest worry for the Opposition at the moment is if Muhyiddin continues to lead Perikatan, the Anwar government will not fall at the 16th General Election.