KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is facing his biggest leadership challenge to date, with 120 division chiefs reportedly signing statutory declarations (SDs) demanding that he step down and hand over the reins to his deputy, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.
Ampang division chief Mohd Isa Mohd Saidi confirmed the move, saying the SDs were signed out of concern about Bersatu’s standing as the party prepares for the 16th general election, Utusan Malaysia reported.
The latest twist comes just days after chaos erupted during Bersatu’s Annual General Assembly at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam last Saturday, where Muhyiddin’s keynote address was disrupted by shouts of “Turun Tan Sri” (“Down with Tan Sri”) from delegates calling for his resignation.
Despite the uproar, Muhyiddin pressed on with his speech, dismissing efforts to undermine him through SDs as unconstitutional.
“I hear some are collecting signatures to overthrow the party president. This goes against the party constitution,” he told delegates.
“If the president can be brought down with a collection of signatures, those (Bersatu leaders) on the stage with me can also be overthrown the same way,” he added.
Muhyiddin also called on members to stop fuelling divisions within the party.
“Obey the party’s constitution if we want our party to be orderly, proper, harmonious and peaceful,” he said.
“Stop the slander and incitement. Avoid conflicts among ourselves. Discard all negative attitudes that weaken us. Remember, our party did not begin with wealth and money, nor with promises of positions and status. We started with nothing.”
He further reminded delegates of Bersatu’s commitments in Sabah, including the fight for the state’s 40% revenue entitlement under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Federal Constitution, alongside promises to boost development, tackle poverty and improve education and jobs. – September 8, 2025