SHAH ALAM - A former Bersatu leader has accused Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of appearing reluctant to pursue cooperation among major Malay political parties, suggesting the party president’s stance could be hindering efforts to unite the Malay political bloc.
Former Bersatu Supreme Leadership Council member Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan claimed that Muhyiddin’s reaction to party members engaging with other political groups gave the impression that he was deliberately rejecting attempts at broader political cooperation.
"If anyone wants to know about what has been claimed as the 'Bangkok Move', I have no information and I do not know. But in my view, we need to meet anyone who is willing to discuss Malay political unity," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Wan Saiful was responding to Muhyiddin’s remarks earlier this week about an alleged internal movement aimed at damaging and splitting the party, which the Bersatu president claimed involved former deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Muhyiddin said Hamzah's alleged actions, including a meeting with Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi without the party’s knowledge or approval were among the key reasons disciplinary action was taken against him.
"If I want to explain, one example is when Zahid, during a gathering, made a statement that he had met and negotiated with Pas and Bersatu. Some linked it to the ‘Bangkok Move’ or something like that.
"In the chat group I asked: Who met Zahid? There was no answer, but I have reliable information that Hamzah met Zahid. In our party there is discipline. This is a big issue," he said during a special interview with local media at the Bersatu headquarters.
Responding to the matter, Wan Saiful said Bersatu should pursue engagement with any party willing to discuss cooperation, particularly in efforts to strengthen unity among major Malay parties.
However, he claimed that Muhyiddin had previously been an obstacle to such efforts.
"The obstacle before this was Muhyiddin because he acted as if he was not interested in cooperating with major parties in Malaysia. Even the good relationship with Pas was allowed to deteriorate," he claimed.
Wan Saiful Wan Jan also suggested that Muhyiddin now appeared to be focused on political positions, particularly following speculation that Hamzah could be appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
"He gets angry when people accuse Hamzah of wanting to become Deputy Prime Minister. If he really has the information, then prove it," he said.
Wan Saiful added that there had also been discussions about nominating Muhyiddin again as Prime Minister, which he said raised questions about consistency in leadership positions.
"If the position is for him, then it is acceptable. But if it is for someone else, suddenly it becomes wrong?" he quipped.