Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Saturday hit out at what he claimed were attempts by certain Bersatu members to unseat him as party president, as the opposition party’s annual general meeting (AGM) descended into heated exchanges.
Toward the end of his address at the Ideal Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Muhyiddin said he was aware of efforts to collect signatures to push him out. “This action contradicts the party constitution,” he told delegates, warning that if such tactics were allowed, “the vice-presidents, division chiefs … even the supreme council can all be removed the same way.”
The remarks drew mixed reactions. While some delegates heckled and chanted “turun, turun” (step down) and “letak jawatan, Muhyiddin” (resign, Muhyiddin), others countered with shouts of “kekal presiden” (maintain the president) and “hidup Tan Sri” (long live Tan Sri). Local media reported a brief scuffle breaking out in one section of the hall, with some delegates standing on chairs and others staging a walkout before party officials restored order.
Speaking later at a press conference, Muhyiddin, who was picked as the Prime Minister of choice for the next general election during the AGM, downplayed the disruption. “Thankfully, it did not disrupt my speech and the proceedings continued smoothly,” he said, adding that any disciplinary action would depend on the incident report from party security.
The 78-year-old, who served as prime minister from March 2020 to August 2021 and now chairs the Perikatan Nasional opposition coalition, insisted he remained confident in his leadership. “I was elected democratically last year, and my term runs for three years. Any change must be in accordance with the party constitution. I am not perturbed by what happened,” he said.
Muhyiddin urged Bersatu delegates to put aside internal disputes and focus on preparing for Malaysia’s 16th general election, which he predicted would take place within the next two years despite the official deadline being February 2028.
“We do not have much time to prepare the party for the coming general election. We must be united towards victory,” he said.
