Dinner and protest at Muhyiddin's house tonight?

Bukit Damansara is expected to be abuzz with political activity tonight, with Bersatu leaders reportedly gathering at party president Muhyiddin Yassin's house.

There are also expectations that an anti-Muhyiddin protest may be held outside the bungalow at Jalan Setia Bakti.

According to a leaked invitation, Muhyiddin is hosting a dinner for Bersatu MPs at his house.

This comes two weeks after a group of 19 Bersatu lawmakers signed a letter addressed to Muhyiddin - protesting disciplinary action against Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, and party deputy president Hamzah Zainudin.

Wan Saiful was sacked from the party and Wan Fayhsal was suspended over efforts to pressure Muhyiddin to hand over power to Hamzah.

The dinner might be an attempt at reconciliation. Hamzah and two MPs who signed the letter to Muhyiddin two weeks ago, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah) and Islahuddin Abas (Mersing), told Malaysiakini today that they will be attending the fete.

The trio, however, downplayed the dinner's significance.

Asked whether there is an agenda set for discussion at the dinner, Hamzah said: “Eh, the party president calling MPs for a meeting is normal.

"Why this time so dramatic until there are interviews?” he said when met in Parliament.

Likewise, Mas Ermieyati and Islahuddin said it's just an “ordinary meeting” between Muhyiddin and Bersatu lawmakers.

‘Black ops tactic’

But the reconciliation may be marred by demonstrators. After the dinner invitation leaked, a poster began circulating in Bersatu WhatsApp circles that a demonstration to defend the Bersatu deputy president will also be held.

Hamzah denied any knowledge about the gathering.

“Who organised it? I don’t know who organised it,” said the opposition leader.

“Why would they do it? Defend me for what?” said Hamzah, who appeared unflustered, when quizzed further on the matter.

Sources close to him dismissed the rally invitation as a "black ops" tactic by unknown parties.

Wan Saiful told Malaysiakini that he believes the purported rally to be a smear campaign against Hamzah.

"It's not coming from his office for sure… It's more likely that this is a smear campaign trying to show as if he is mobilising members," the Tasek Gelugor MP said.

Hamzah had previously said that Muhyiddin will pass the baton to him when the party president decides it is time.

However, there appeared to be strong suspicions within Muhyiddin's inner circle about the deputy president's intentions.

In a leaked recording of Wan Saiful's disciplinary hearing, board chairperson Radzi Manan was heard insinuating that Hamzah was the mastermind behind the plot to oust Muhyiddin.

Critics of Muhyiddin argued that a leadership transition needs to take place to rejuvenate Bersatu and build enough momentum so that the party can be successful in the next general election.

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