Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Bersatu leaders are calling on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to resign as Bersatu President and Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chairman, pinning blame for the party’s collapse in the recent state election to “systemic failure at the very top.”National Bersatu Supreme Council member Yunus Nurdin said 20 of 24 Sabah divisions have formally agreed that Muhyiddin must step aside to allow the party to reset its direction and rebuild its credibility.
“The grassroots have completely lost confidence. Muhyiddin must take responsibility and step down,” he told a press conference, Wednesday. PN won only one of the 42 seats it contested through its PAS component candidate in Karambunai.
Yunus, who is also Sabah PN Secretary, said the sentiment was neither new nor emotional, but based on long-standing issues that the national leadership repeatedly failed to address.
“This was not a small mistake. It was a systemic failure caused by the central leadership,” he said, adding Bersatu’s vote share plunged sharply across several traditional strongholds.
Even previously secure seats slipped away due to “poor strategic direction and last-minute decisions” from central leadership.
“Many candidates went into the election with unclear directives on messaging, branding and coordination with PN components,” he said.
He claimed this lack of clarity created confusion and weakened the coalition’s campaign.
Yunus said the party’s campaign machinery in Sabah was severely handicapped due to inadequate financial support and logistical assistance.
“Our candidates were left on their own. Some had to take loans. Some pawned their belongings. This should never happen in a national party,” he said.
However, Yunus noted that not all leaders at the national level ignored Sabah’s struggles.
He acknowledged that Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who was then the party’s Secretary-General, made several attempts to assist.
“I must say thank you to Hamzah. At that time he was the Secretary-General, and he did help us a few times. For that, I am grateful.”He thanked Sabah Bersatu supporters and the election machinery for their loyalty throughout the difficult campaign period.
“Despite everything, our machinery stood firm. Their commitment kept us moving even when resources were almost zero,” he said.
Yunus, who is Bersatu Libaran Division Chief, said several internal disputes were ignored by the national leadership, including abrupt disciplinary actions that demoralised members and contributed to widespread frustration.
He said Sabah PN leaders demand greater autonomy in decision-making to prevent similar failures in future elections, saying top-down directives have repeatedly backfired.
“The dissatisfaction is not only in Sabah. Several divisions in peninsula have expressed similar concerns but not spoken publicly yet,” Yunus said.
Yunus warned that if any Sabah leader is punished for supporting the call for Muhyiddin’s resignation, they are prepared to resign en bloc. “That is how serious the situation is.” He said the message from Sabah is unanimous, the party cannot rebuild without accountability and leadership change.
“Bersatu cannot be rebuilt if we pretend everything is fine. Change must begin at the top,” Yunus said.
