Shahruddin Md Salleh’s resignation as deputy works minister has led to more questions than answers.
Shahruddin, who is also Sri Gading MP and from Bersatu, quit his post yesterday, fuelling more speculation as to the strength in numbers of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s loyalists.
Shahruddin in a statement said that he was disillusioned by the PN government and made a mistake in joining Muhyiddin’s coalition.
But another letter circulated on social media signed by Shahruddin read: “I remain seated in the PN backbencher’s seat.”
New portals such as the Malay Mail have reported that the letter is genuine and that Shahruddin has confirmed he remains with PN.
Still, the Sri Gading MP met with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at 5pm at Yayasan Al-Bukhary. Not much is known about what transpired during the meeting but Mahathir wrote “Welcome Back” in his social media postings.
The apparent indecision of Shahruddin is a sign of an intraparty tussle between Mahathir and Muhyiddin ever since the latter decided that Bersatu should leave Pakatan Harapan (PH).
This led to the collapse of PH as well as its government, opening up the space for Muhyiddin and his men to be sworn in on March 5.
Muhyiddin is Bersatu president and acting chairman. But Mahathir has insisted that he remains chairman of the party.
Last night, Bersatu held an emergency supreme council meeting to finalise the sacking of Mahathir and his men.
Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin is expected to brief the press today on what transpired at the meeting.
