KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced that he will not defend his position in the next party election due next year.

He said the time has come for him to pass on the party leadership to another.

“On this blessed Friday, I'm announcing that the time to passed on party leadership to a new leadership has come.

“With that, I want to state that I will not defend my position as party president in the the next party election that will be held by the end of next year,” he said in his speech at the sixth Bersatu Annual General Assembly at the Ideal Convention Centre here.

“This will be the last time I stand here, at Bersatu General Assembly, speaking as president,” he added.

Muhyiddin’s announcement appeared to surprise the delegates with some crying out “jangan” (Malay for don’t) and “tak nak” (don’t want) in response.

“My decision was made to give space to the Bersatu leaders to take over the leadership of the party according to the democratic process practised by our party,” the former prime minister from March 2020 to August 2021 added.

The Pagoh MP suggested that senior Bersatu leaders consult each other in ensuring members with vast experience and have a place and role in the new leadership of the party later.

“This is important so that we can strengthen the strength of our party more precisely in the future,” he added.

In a press conference later, Muhyiddin said the suggestion was voiced out as he does not want to see Bersatu broken up.

“As I mentioned in my speech just now, I wanted all leaders that might take over my position to discuss and negotiate to avoid any splitting from the nomination.

“I don’t want to leave the party and let it break into pieces,” he said.

In the same press conference, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said he too, was surprised by Muhyiddin’s announcement.

“I was shocked by the announcement when Tan Sri said he will not be defending his position as president,” Ahmad Faizal said,

He added that he was not alone in wanting Muhyiddin to continue to captain Bersatu.

“Not just me, we can see the response from the delegates when they stood up and shouted, begging Tan Sri to stay,” he said, referring to Muhyiddin by his honorific title.

“I was very shocked and wasn’t happy with the announcement. But I also want to give a chance to the grassroots to show their response to his statement and I don’t want to look at him when he was announcing that.

“I was very upset because I thought we started the party together and suddenly announced he won’t put himself out there,” Ahmad Faizal said.

Muhyiddin was elected as Bersatu president in the party’s first internal election back in august 2020.

He was the only candidate for the post.