TAN Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s vast political experience and his paternal “abah” persona are among reasons why the Bersatu president should defend his presidency and not relinquish it to other party leaders, said Nurul Fadzilah Kamaluddin.
The Bersatu Srikandi Muda chief was, however, quick to point out that this does not mean that the party lacks leaders; rather, Muhyiddin’s experience is still an asset especially during tough times like these.
“Tan Sri (Muhyiddin) also has the ‘abah’ aura that is needed by the people and the youth,” Nurul Fadzilah was quoted as saying.
She noted that while the party had many capable leaders that could helm the party, the time has not come for anyone else to take up the mantle.
She also denied that there was nobody from Bersatu that was capable of leading the party and attracting youth voters.
Bersatu Srikandi vice-chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said Muhyiddin’s decision to defend his presidency would give the party ample time to prepare the party’s leadership team.
“I think there is enough time for the party to carry out a leadership strategy that would allow for a transition process that could effectively line up the leaders who should be in the party’s supreme council to prevent any internal unrest,” she was reported as saying by the Malay news portal.
“We are not talking about one person but a team. Tan Sri must form a good team not just for the sake of the party but also to allow us to prepare for the next general election. [We are talking about] a team that is more than just [a replacement of the president] but also a cohesive one that can pose as a worthy challenge for our opponents.”
Mas Ermieyati further pointed out that Muhyiddin’s suggestion to establish an advisory council should be done through an amendment in the party’s constitution in the next Bersatu annual general meeting (AGM).
On Muhyiddin’s decision to defend his Bersatu presidency, Johor Bersatu deputy chairman Mohd Solihan Badri pointed out that Muhyiddin as the party president is crucial to make sure that the party does not lose a capable and principled leader.
“This is not about the shortage of leaders but the fact that Muhyiddin’s involvement [in Bersatu] and his input is still very much needed in the party’s improvement process.”
On Nov 24, Muhyiddin had announced that he will not defend his presidency in the Bersatu elections scheduled for next year, adding that the decision was made to pave the way for Bersatu future leaders to helm the party.
However, a day later, he cancelled his earlier decision, saying that he has agreed to stay for another term after getting the blessings of his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman.
He denied that his announcement a day earlier not to defend his post at the polls due next year was a gimmick to fish for votes.
Muhyiddin said although he had made the announcement not to defend his post, after much thought, he had not much choice but to stay on as the “voices calling for me to stay on are too loud to ignore”. – Nov 27, 2023
Main pic credit: Berita Harian
