SHAH ALAM, Nov 25 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s motion to not run as president in the next party election due next year was today rejected by the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) delegates.

Bersatu permanent chairman Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah made the announcement after asking delegates attending the party’s sixth annual general meeting (AGM) here whether or not they agreed with Muhyiddin’s proposed motions on three points.

"We heard a debate about the president’s policy speech from state representatives, wing representatives, and student representatives.

"The average debate supported the president’s policy speech by rejecting three points.

"Article 123, does not defend the position of president, we reject it. Article 124, meeting to find a replacement, we reject. Article 125, his last Bersatu annual general assembly, we reject,” he said after 20 delegates ended their debate on the president’s policy speech.

"Please delegates, do you agree unanimously with this decision?” Mohd Suhaimi asked inside one of the halls at the Ideal Convention Centre here which was being used as the venue for the party’s AGM.

The delegates replied with roars of "Yes” and "correct”.

Mohd Suhaimi said he accepted their decision announced the rejection of all three points from Muhyiddin’s policy speech yesterday.

Mohd Suhaimi said he accepted their decision and announced the rejection of all three points from Muhyiddin’s policy speech yesterday.

Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin who took to the podium later appeared to have difficulty keeping his emotions in check.

His voice with thick with emotion and he even started shedding tears as he spoke about Muhyiddin’s decision to pass on the baton by the next party election due in 2024.

"Sir, we are all here. We love you so much.

"Tan Sri, indeed as a leader, we must check out our substitutes. However, looking at this moment, there is no replacement,” he said haltingly as he implored Muhyiddin to stand as a presidential candidate in Bersatu’s next leadership polls.

Hamzah’s outburst appeared to strike a chord with some of the delegates present in the hall who could be seen swiping away at the corners of their eyes.

Muhyiddin, who was Bersatu’s first elected president in August 2020, appeared to have caught party members by surprise yesterday when he said he did not plan to defend the post.

The party’s supreme council members held an emergency meeting last night after the shock announcement, voted to reject Muhyiddin’s proposal, saying the former prime minister’s leadership is still needed by party members and by Malaysians in general.