Muhyiddin capable of competing with Anwar, says Bersatu leader

Bersatu information chief Razali Idris claimed the unity government parties are afraid of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

PETALING JAYA: A Bersatu leader has defended Muhyiddin Yassin’s U-turn over defending the party presidency, saying the former prime minister is the sole figure in Perikatan Nasional capable of providing competition to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Bersatu information chief Razali Idris said Muhyiddin was knowledgeable about the economy and religion, describing the PN chairman as having the characteristics of a statesman.

“When the Bersatu delegates urged him to defend his presidency, he turned to his family, and we persuaded his family. We said Muhyiddin indeed ‘belongs’ to his family, but he also ‘belongs’ to the party and the people of Malaysia,” he told FMT.

Razali dismissed Lim Guan Eng’s criticism of Muhyiddin’s U-turn, claiming the DAP chairman felt uneasy as the Pagoh MP is the only PN man capable of competing with Anwar.

He also claimed that Lim was afraid of the combination of Muhyiddin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in PN, as they have bolstered Malay support for the coalition.

“Muhyiddin and Hadi can threaten the government parties’ position because they do not have Malay support. Malay support is focused on PN, and PN is led by Muhyiddin,” he said.

Lim had accused Muhyiddin of being an “unreliable” leader for not decisively making the decision to step down.