Bersatu’s leadership crisis which came to the fore during its recent general assembly shows that the party currently led by Muhyiddin Yassin is not ready to face a general election, says a political analyst.
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Bersatu might not even be ready to take part in the 17th Sabah state election, expected to be held this year, given internal moves to topple Muhyiddin as party president.
“Media reports of 120 Bersatu division leaders signing statutory declarations urging Muhyiddin to step down risk weakening the party’s preparations for the next general election (GE16).
“I think Bersatu isn’t prepared to face any major election, including the Sabah state polls which could be called any time now,” he told FMT.
Mazlan said Bersatu should avoid trying to spark speculation of a snap GE16, noting that in February, Muhyiddin had instructed the mobilisation of Bersatu’s election machinery in preparation for a snap election.
He said the party should instead use the time it had to resolve its leadership issues and regain the momentum of support for Perikatan Nasional (PN).
A commotion erupted on Saturday night as Muhyiddin opened Bersatu’s general assembly after the former prime minister revealed in his address that some had been collecting signatures to oust him.
A small group of delegates then called for him to step down, while the majority of attendees broke into chants of “Hidup Tan Sri” in his support.
There had been speculation that 122 division chiefs had signed statutory declarations urging Muhyiddin to immediately implement a change of leadership in Bersatu before GE16. A day after the commotion, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin pledged his loyalty to Muhyiddin.
Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Bersatu had little choice but to promote unity and resolve the internal differences in its top leadership to maintain the confidence of its grassroots.
He added that Bersatu’s strength to face the elections ultimately depended on its ability to work with its key PN ally, PAS.
“Without early coordination, minor differences can snowball into major liabilities ahead of the polls,” he said.
