Fourteen Bersatu division chiefs in Johor have declared a loss of confidence in party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, citing alleged leadership failures in managing an internal party crisis and the purported misuse of disciplinary mechanisms.
Tanjung Piai division chief Musa Khamis said recent actions taken by the party’s Disciplinary Board against deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and his supporters appeared to be aimed at shielding the party president.
“This disciplinary move gives the impression that it is being used as a tool to preserve the president’s grip on power,” he said in a statement.
Musa warned that the ongoing developments have damaged Bersatu’s image and could potentially strain ties within the Perikatan Nasional coalition, at a time when unity is crucial.
In a separate statement, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee openly called on Muhyiddin to resign from the presidency. Kiandee, who also serves as Sabah Bersatu chairman, said the internal turmoil has intensified and has not been handled decisively by the current leadership.
He described the disciplinary charges brought against Hamzah as a step backwards, accusing the party leadership of misusing disciplinary processes to suppress dissent.
“This action reflects a desperate abuse of disciplinary procedures to silence senior leaders within the party,” Kiandee said.
He further claimed that Bersatu now appears directionless, with its leadership overly focused on retaining Muhyiddin’s position. Kiandee alleged that Muhyiddin was deploying all available means to defend his role, driven by a personal ambition to return as prime minister.
According to Kiandee, this includes efforts to block Hamzah’s path to future leadership within the party, deepening divisions at the top of Bersatu.
