Wan Saiful: Muhyiddin's lost his way, strayed from own standards

Sacked Bersatu supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan has claimed that party president Muhyiddin Yassin is no longer the leader he once was, accusing him of straying from the standards he previously set for integrity and accountability.

Recounting how he had resigned from his post as Bersatu information chief after corruption charges were slapped against him in 2023, Wan Saiful said Muhyiddin had, at the time, supported the move as a positive model. 

“My concern was because I already knew then: (since) I’d been called for investigation originally for his case, in two or three weeks, (Muhyiddin) himself would be charged,” the Tasek Gelugor MP said in an interview with KiniTV’s “Explain Sikit, Kini!” podcast. 

“I told (Muhyiddin) I’m worried (resigning after being charged in court) sets a precedent that when he is charged later, he’ll be under pressure to resign too.

“Muhyiddin told me that if he were charged, that would be the benchmark he wants to uphold in our party - he too will step down and take leave,” Wan Saiful revealed. 

He said this in justifying his claims that Muhyiddin appears to have departed from such principles, noting that the Perikatan Nasional chairperson neither stepped aside when prosecuted in court, nor when questions arose over his son-in-law’s whereabouts.

Adlan Berhan, Muhyiddin’s fugitive son-in-law, and lawyer Mansoor Saat, also a fugitive, are wanted over a project concerning the misappropriation of biometric registration, recruitment, and data storage of migrant workers for a ministry.

“The Muhyiddin of today is not the same as the Muhyiddin before. And that’s why I always say, we shouldn’t deny his past contributions, but we have to move forward for the sake of the party.

“The party was not built for an individual - Dr Mahathir Mohamad left Bersatu, and the party survived while still honouring him. Muhyiddin, too, must show the same magnanimity and reflect on whether he is an asset or a liability to the party,” Wan Saiful added. 

Prioritising party’s future

Also part of the interview was Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who addressed criticism from the Machang Bersatu division, which accused him of being ungrateful to Muhyiddin while reminding him that his political rise was due to the party president’s backing.

While the Machang MP agreed that Muhyiddin played a pivotal role in his political career, he insisted that the issue at hand is not about denying Muhyiddin’s contributions, but about prioritising the party’s future. 

“We’re grateful to him, but we’ve reached a crossroads - what’s more important, the party or individuals? Bersatu isn’t a private company where Muhyiddin owns 100 percent of the shares (and) can do whatever he likes,” the suspended Bersatu lawmaker said. 

He also claimed that party leaders have been “silenced”, with no proper platform to voice concerns as its supreme council meetings are not being held. 

“You can meet with minor parties, but not your own top leadership. Which forum are we supposed to use to speak out? We can’t even meet (Muhyiddin) directly anymore,” he lamented.

He also theorised that Muhyiddin might appear reluctant to vacate his party and coalition positions because he remains affected by how his tenure as prime minister ended. 

“I’ve heard many times from those close to (Muhyiddin) that he still hopes, if given the chance, to return for at least half a term or two years. 

“I can understand and sympathise with what he feels, because of the way he was brought down,” Wan Fayhsal added.

On Oct 14, the Bersatu disciplinary board suspended Wan Fayhsal for one term, and sacked Wan Saiful, as well as four party division chiefs.

The board said it found the leaders guilty of violating the party constitution and its code of ethics and conduct.

While the board did not detail the violations then, it is believed that Wan Saiful and the four division leaders were expelled in connection with a recent attempt to pressure Muhyiddin into handing over party leadership to his deputy, Hamzah Zainudin.

Backing for Hamzah

During the interview, Wan Saiful and Wan Fayhsal voiced strong support for Hamzah, describing him as a more unifying and forward-looking leader compared to Muhyiddin.

Wan Saiful said Hamzah’s leadership style was more approachable and cohesive, adding that the opposition leader has shown determination to strengthen Bersatu amid mounting political challenges.

He also asserted that Muhyiddin should set an example by supporting potential successors within his own party. “But, it seems his attitude is, ‘if I can’t have it, then no one else should either.’ That’s disappointing for many of us,” he said.

Wan Fayhsal, who worked closely with Hamzah during his tenure as the Bersatu Youth chief, said the latter, in his role as the Bersatu secretary-general then, had effectively filled the leadership vacuum after Muhyiddin was ousted as prime minister.

“At that time, Bersatu was morally down - we had no prime minister, and frankly, our deputy president didn’t have the presence to inspire confidence,” Wan Fayhsal said, referring to Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is now one of Bersatu’s vice-presidents.  

“(Hamzah) bore the burden of making Bersatu a respectable party. He’s professional, dignified, and a gentleman, respected by both allies and opponents… it is important to have that kind of political capital.”

Wan Fayhsal also touched on what he described as Muhyiddin’s “special bond” with Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali - a relationship he and Wan Saiful believe has tilted the party’s internal balance.

‘Azmin a liability’

Wan Fayhsal opined the closeness between the two dated back to the 2020 Sheraton Move, when Azmin defected from PKR with 10 other MPs, triggering the collapse of the first Pakatan Harapan government and paving the way for Bersatu’s rise to power.

He argued, however, that Azmin’s involvement in a 2019 sex video scandal has impacted the latter’s political credibility, to the point where he should now be considered a liability. 

“After the Sandakan video scandal, we cannot accept someone like him as a main party leader. Conservative PN voters, especially from PAS, rejected him - his defeat in Gombak (during the 15th general election) was a clear message,” Wan Fayhsal said. 

He contrasted this with the role of Hamzah, who, he said, was instrumental in securing statutory declarations from Umno MPs that helped Muhyiddin clinch the premiership in 2020.

“Yet today, Muhyiddin seems closer to Azmin than to Hamzah. That’s what we question - why the double standard? It was Hamzah who carried the party after Muhyiddin’s fall, managing finances, strategy, and leadership.” 

He added that Hamzah’s success in convincing PAS to remain within PN helped the coalition perform strongly in the 2022 general election, saying: “Hamzah’s leadership and credibility made that possible, but some in Muhyiddin’s circle seem to view him as a rival to be buried. 

Drawing comparisons between Hamzah and Azmin, Wan Fayhsal said Bersatu members naturally gravitate towards the former, given their similar political backgrounds and values.

“Most Bersatu members are former Umno grassroots - Malay-Muslim nationalists. It’s natural that they feel more aligned with Hamzah, who shares that background, rather than Azmin, whose roots are in PKR’s multiracial politics,” he said.

He described Azmin as “elitist” and “a bit of a prima donna”, recalling how the former minister once left a Covid-19 coordination WhatsApp group after clashing with another minister over lockdown decisions.

“Hamzah isn’t like that. He’s a gentleman, accessible, generous with his time and resources. People can approach him easily. That’s why he’s seen as a natural fit to lead Bersatu and PN,” Wan Fayhsal added.

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