Mahathir cannot be PM, he is no longer chairman of Bersatu: Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 29): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's bid to become prime minister again hit a bump today after Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Mahathir had resigned as Bersatu chairman and does not have the support of the party, Malaysiakini reported today.

Ignoring the fact that the party had appealed for Mahathir to retract his resignation which Muhyiddin had agreed to and was officially announced as the Bersatu chairperson again on Feb 27, Muhyiddin in a statement claims the seat is now vacant, making him the acting Bersatu chairperson.

In a brief statement while leaving Istana Negara this morning, Muhyddin said: "Mahathir resigned as Bersatu chairperson on Feb 24. According to Clause 16.9 of the Bersatu Constitution, if a chairperson quits or is fired, the president will take on the role until an election is held to pick a new chairperson."

Muhyiddin was at the palace to inform the King that he has a majority to form a new government but Mahathir pre-empted the move by striking a deal with Pakatan Harapan to support him.

In response to Muhyiddin, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya released a statement insisting on Mahathir being the party's chairperson, indicating the split in the party is ongoing.

According to Bersatu's constitution, the position of the chairperson is the ultimate authority in the party.

Muhyiddin's move to seize control of the party comes as Mahathir sought to out-manoeuvre him this morning by striking a deal with Pakatan Harapan to support the latter as prime minister.

Muhyiddin was on the verge of forming the government with support from Umno and other parties.

Mahathir is vehemently against forming the government with Umno, of which several leaders are facing trial for grand corruption.

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