SHAH ALAM: Bersatu should reinstate the chairman's position and appoint Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to the role, says Johor party information chief Muhammad Islahuddin Abas.
The Mersing MP said this would ensure Muhyiddin continues to be a figurehead for the party.
He was responding to Muhyiddin's announcement during the party's sixth annual general meeting (AGM) here on Friday (Nov 24) that he will not defend the presidency next year.
"If Tan Sri (Muhyiddin) still insists that he does not want to contest, Johor Bersatu will propose to reinstate the chairman's post according to the constitution.
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"The party began with just two MPs and one assemblyman, but today we have more. No one expected that Perikatan Nasional (of which Muhyiddin is chairman) would win big in the general and state elections.
"We are aware that Tan Sri (Muhyiddin) has a big heart and is principled. He also contributed to producing many leaders in Perikatan, so we hope he can at least continue as an adviser," he told the press during the policy debate at the AGM.
When asked if Bersatu Johor would submit a name for the president's post, Muhammad Islahuddin clarified that for the party, an interested candidate has to fill up a nomination form instead of being nominated by others.
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Earlier on Friday, Muhyiddin said he had heard calls for him to continue as Bersatu president but said that his decision was final.
"I will continue to remain a member of Bersatu, which I helped to establish," he said.
When asked if he would reconsider, he said his decision came after much deliberation.
He said that he had been in politics for 63 years and the relevance of a political party does not rely on one individual.
"We have many leaders of calibre in the party, so if they are given a chance to helm the party and the country, I am confident they can do it.
"As for the suggestions (that I stay on), I am grateful," he said.
