In a joint statement shared on Facebook by Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, the MPs said that while they did not deny Muhyiddin’s past contributions, he was “no longer capable of uniting the party towards victory.”
“We are confident that Hamzah can serve well as an acting president, refocus Bersatu’s agenda on fighting for the nation and its people, and unite the party to ensure victory,” the MPs said.
The statement was also signed by Zakri Hassan (Kangar), Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (Kubang Pasu), Roslan Hashim (Kulim-Bandar Baharu), Khlir Nor (Ketereh), Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang).
The other MPs are Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Fathul Huzir Ayob (Gerik), Azahari Hassan (Padang Rengas), Nordin Ahmad Ismail (Lumut), Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Abdul Khalib Abdullah (Rompin), Kalam Salan (Sabak Bernam), Muslimin Yahaya (Sungai Besar), and Islahuddin Abas (Mersing).
On Tuesday, Bersatu vice-president Kiandee became the first senior party leader to call for Muhyiddin to relinquish the party’s top post.
The Sabah Bersatu chief accused Muhyiddin of failing to effectively handle the party’s internal crisis, which he said had dragged on to a “point of no return”.
He said the former prime minister appeared to be defending his party presidency to pursue his personal agenda of returning to office, including by blocking Hamzah from leading the party in the future.
Bersatu has been plagued by months of infighting amid a leadership tussle between Muhyiddin and Hamzah, with both camps calling for the other to resign and disciplinary action taken against three MPs, including the sacking of Wan Saiful and Saifuddin.
Calls for Muhyiddin to quit as president also strengthened amid a dispute with PAS over the PN chairmanship, which he relinquished on Jan 1.
Four Melaka Bersatu division chiefs – Melaka Bersatu chief Rahim Tamby Chik (Alor Gajah), Bemban assemblyman Dr Yadzil Yaakub (Jasin), Ramlan Meon (Tangga Batu), and Jeffri Ibrahim (Hang Tuah Jaya) – also issued a joint statement today calling for Muhyiddin’s resignation.
They said Bersatu “deserves a breath of fresh air” with a more “dynamic, people-friendly, visionary and patriotic” leadership line-up under Hamzah.