Muhyiddin staying guarantees Bersatu's strength, says party's Johor deputy chair

Mohd Solihan Badri. -filepic

JOHOR BARU: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin remaining as Bersatu president would also guarantee not only the preparation and strength of the party for GE16, says Mohd Solihan Badri.

The Johor Bersatu deputy chairman also said that Muhyiddin staying would also ensure the integrity of the Bersatu-PAS-Gerakan cooperation as Perikatan Nasional can endure.

He said this was because the Pagoh MP was synonymous with Bersatu and Perikatan.

“Without him, these two political entities could be affected and even disappoint the hopes coming from the majority of the people towards a major Malay party that supports Islamic leadership in this country,” said Mohd Solihan.

“To us, he is a statesman that is needed by the people who understand the importance of virtues that a leader must have,” he added.

He said that Muhyiddin’s sacrifice by defending his post as the party president should be rewarded by Bersatu’s elected representatives by staying loyal to the party.

He added that Bersatu was grateful and relieved that Muhyiddin has withdrawn his initial decision to not defend the party’s top post in the upcoming internal polls set to be at the end of 2024.

“Johor Bersatu feels that his presence in the president’s seat is important to ensure that the party does not lose a leader of authority and integrity, while the Malays have a party that can guarantee to defend and fight for their interests.

“With the decision to defend the position of president in the next party election, Bersatu’s representatives – both MPs and assemblymen – should use Muhyiddin’s sacrifice to spur their spirit and loyalty to the party,” said Mohd Solihan.

He added in a statement on Sunday (Nov 26) that Muhyiddin’s decision to maintain the status quo also means that he is still an alternative to the current government’s leaders.

However, Mohd Solihan then said that Bersatu is not lacking a leader despite it being their hope and desire for Muhyiddin to continue leading the party.

“The former prime minister’s involvement and input is still needed to implement some improvement processes and empowerment in Bersatu,” he said.

At the Bersatu AGM on Saturday (Nov 25), Muhyiddin agreed to defend his post as Bersatu president in the next party polls after getting the blessings of his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman.

He denied that his announcement a day earlier not to defend his post at the polls due next year was a gimmick to fish for votes.

Muhyiddin said although he had made the announcement not to defend his post, after much thought, he had not much choice but to stay on as the “voices calling for me to stay on are too loud to ignore”.