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THE Johor chapter of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) has thrown its unequivocal support behind Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s continued leadership of both the party and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, calling for immediate disciplinary action against outspoken MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Johor Bersatu chairman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal lauded Muhyiddin’s “capable and visionary leadership”, adding that the former prime minister remained best placed to navigate current internal disputes.
“Bersatu Johor stands firmly in full support of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to continue leading the party and PN. We are confident he is able to resolve the ongoing internal polemics within the party,” said Sahruddin, who is also a former Johor Menteri Besar.
The endorsement comes in the wake of controversy surrounding a series of statutory declarations (SDs) reportedly signed by 120 Bersatu division chiefs.
While initially fuelling speculation of a push for leadership change, the signatories — including Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful — later clarified that the declarations merely sought to initiate internal discussions on a leadership transition plan, not to demand Muhyiddin’s resignation.
Wan Saiful has also sparked further controversy by reviving a long-dormant scandal involving Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Claiming to have received “new forensic evidence” validating a 2019 viral video purportedly implicating Azmin, Wan Saiful questioned Azmin’s fitness to hold senior party office, stating, “as long as the issue of the video remains unresolved, Azmin is not suitable to be a leader of Bersatu.”
His remarks have drawn sharp condemnation from within the party. Bersatu Tasek Gelugor division chief Azmi Alang accused Wan Saiful of prioritising sensationalism over party unity, and called for his immediate expulsion.
“In the interests of party integrity and public confidence, firm action — including dismissal — is the only viable path forward. If we fail to act, Bersatu will be seen as weak and complicit in conduct that undermines our struggle,” said Azmi.
Echoing the sentiment, Sahruddin urged the Bersatu Disciplinary Board to intervene without delay, warning that breaches of discipline must not be tolerated.
“As a political organisation grounded in order and ethics, Bersatu must not take disciplinary breaches lightly. The Disciplinary Board must act without delay to preserve the trust of members and the public in the party’s firmness and integrity,” he said.
Sahruddin also issued a broader warning against the trend of taking internal disputes to the media, stating such actions “only worsen the situation and weaken the party from within.”
“Differences must be resolved through official party channels — not in public,” he stressed, calling on all party members to prioritise unity and discipline over personal agendas.
Alongside Wan Saiful, three other Bersatu leaders — Mohd Isa Saidi (Ampang), Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali (Sepang), and Muhammad Fadhli Ismail (Ipoh Timor) — have been summoned over their involvement in the SD initiative, which some see as paving the way for Deputy President Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to eventually assume leadership.
While no formal transition process has been announced, the growing public discourse surrounding succession has placed Bersatu’s internal coherence under the spotlight.
As party tensions rise, Johor’s firm alignment with Muhyiddin signals a desire among state leaders to project strength, enforce discipline, and stave off a potentially destabilising leadership struggle. -September 30, 2025