PETALING JAYA: Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has come under fire from within his own party, with several division chiefs accusing him of ignoring grassroots concerns and silencing dissenting voices.
Bersatu Dungun division chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Ismail said Muhyiddin has in recent months appeared increasingly intolerant of criticism or differing views from party members.
“I have seen that he just cannot accept opinions or comments from the grassroots.
Anyone who offers honest criticism is punished,” said Abdul Aziz.
He claimed that the party’s disciplinary powers were being used arbitrarily and warned that such actions risk alienating members and repeating the same mistakes that once weakened Umno.
“If the president continues behaving this way, Bersatu would end up like Umno, forgetting our original mission to fight corruption and abuse of power,” he said.
Earlier, the Dungun division passed three resolutions aimed at rejuvenating Bersatu’s leadership and strengthening its direction ahead of the 16th general election.
The division proposed that Muhyiddin take a temporary break from his duties to allow a new leadership to chart a clearer path for the party.
It also called for secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to be removed to restore Bersatu’s image and integrity, citing ongoing moral controversies that have tainted the leadership’s credibility.
The division called for information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz to be replaced with someone more proactive and capable of energising the party machinery at the grassroots.
“These motions were proposed collectively during our division meeting on Oct 20.
They followed proper procedures and were passed unanimously,” said Abdul Aziz, stressing that the decisions were not his alone.
Meanwhile, Bersatu Kepala Batas division chief Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq called for a clear and respectful leadership transition plan, saying it is crucial to strengthen unity and give the party a renewed sense of direction.
“This suggestion comes from love and responsibility towards the party, not rebellion,” he said, adding that future appointments to the party’s supreme leadership council should be based on merit and principle, “not just to create a group of ‘yes men’”.
Khaliq made the statement after confirming his removal from the council on Tuesday.
“I wish to thank the president for the trust and confidence placed in me.
Throughout my tenure, I have served with integrity, sincerity and full commitment to the party’s struggle.
“That said, my tenure has ended because I chose not to fully align with the president’s position on certain issues.
I respect that decision.
But as an elected member, I believe the right to express differing opinions is an essential part of the democratic spirit that defines our party.”
