Reconciliation or showdown? Bersatu MPs gather at Muhyiddin’s home amid deepening leadership rift

SHAH ALAM – Bukit Damansara is expected to be a focal point for political activity tonight, following reports that senior Bersatu leaders are set to gather at party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s residence in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, there is talk that an anti-Muhyiddin protest may take place outside his home on Jalan Setia Bakti.

According to Malaysiakini, a leaked invitation revealed that Muhyiddin is hosting a dinner for Bersatu MPs this evening.

The development comes two weeks after 19 Bersatu MPs signed a letter to Muhyiddin objecting to disciplinary action taken against Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and the party’s deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

Wan Saiful was expelled while Wan Fayhsal was suspended, following alleged attempts within the party to push Muhyiddin to hand over leadership to Hamzah. The dinner is being widely seen as a reconciliation effort.

Malaysiakini reported that Hamzah, along with two MPs who had signed the protest letter, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah) and Islahuddin Abas (Mersing), have confirmed their attendance.

All three, however, insisted that the gathering was nothing more than a routine meeting.

When asked whether there was a special agenda, Hamzah dismissed the speculation, saying it was normal for the party president to meet MPs and questioning why the situation had been turned into a “drama”.

Mas Ermieyati and Islahuddin similarly described it as a regular engagement between Muhyiddin and Bersatu lawmakers.

However, any attempt at reconciliation may be overshadowed by possible demonstrations.

Following the circulation of the dinner invitation, a poster began spreading in Bersatu WhatsApp groups calling for supporters to gather at Jalan Setia Bakti to “defend the deputy president.”

Hamzah denied any knowledge of the planned rally, questioning its purpose. A source close to him told Malaysiakini that the poster appeared to be a “black ops” tactic by unknown parties.

Wan Saiful also commented on the matter, telling Malaysiakini he believed the supposed gathering was merely an attempt to discredit Hamzah by making it look like he was mobilising members behind the scenes.

Hamzah has previously claimed that Muhyiddin would hand over the party leadership to him when the time is right.

However, Malaysiakini reported that there are lingering doubts among Muhyiddin’s inner circle regarding the deputy president’s intentions.

In a leaked audio recording from Wan Saiful’s disciplinary hearing, disciplinary board chair Radzi Manan appeared to suggest that Hamzah was involved in attempts to oust Muhyiddin.

Critics of Muhyiddin, on the other hand, argue that the party leadership needs renewal to reinvigorate Bersatu and build momentum ahead of the next general election.