SHAH ALAM: The decision by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin not to defend his presidency in Bersatu’s polls next year has not been accepted by the party’s supreme council.

The decision was made following an emergency meeting by supreme council members who unanimously rejected Muhyiddin’s decision.

A source said no one in the supreme council wanted the post to be contested and that this decision would be conveyed to Muhyiddin.

“All were asked one by one as to whether any of them would want to contest the post of president.

“The answer was completely in the negative and it is then that we voted unanimously to reject the decision by Muhyiddin not to defend his position in the polls next year,” said the source.

In a media statement after the emergency meeting, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the supreme council did not accept Muhyiddin’s decision.

“The meeting has unanimously decided to reject the suggestion by Muhyiddin not to defend his position as president in the party polls next year,” said Hamzah.

When announcing his decision at the Bersatu annual general meeting yesterday, the former prime minister and Pagoh MP said he believed the party had enough leaders to succeed him.

“I will not defend my post in the next party polls. This is to make way for the next leaders to take over.

“The senior leadership should discuss the takeover.

“Take care of the party,” said Muhyiddin during the meeting at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC).

This was met with outcry from delegates who had to be told to calm down by the chairman.

In a media conference later, Muhyiddin said he would reconsider but his mind was made up.

“We have many capable leaders in the party, so if these people are given a chance to helm the party and the country, I am confident they can do it.

“So, if there are any suggestions (asking to stay on), I am just grateful.

“Now the party has postponed its elections for 18 months, the polls are to be held next year.

“The election for the party supreme council leadership is held at the division level instead of the annual general meeting. I am hoping the process will run smoothly, as such I may not be present in future assemblies as party president.

“Directly or indirectly, I will no longer be active, but I will continue to remain as a Bersatu member, which I helped establish,” he told the press after his party president policy speech.

Muhyiddin said he had already been in politics for more than 50 years, but the relevance of a political party does not solely rely on someone like himself.

Earlier, Hamzah said Muhyiddin’s decision was not set in stone as the announcement was made during his policy speech.

He said the move was merely a proposal and the supreme council had yet to accept it.

“This is merely a proposal. All of us at the supreme council level have agreed on this.

“Tan Sri (Muhyiddin) merely said he will not offer himself for the position, not resigning. We have not proposed anyone for the position, he will remain as our president,” said Hamzah.