This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on February 25, 2020 - March 2, 2020

PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has unanimously rejected Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation as party chairman, said its secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya.

Speaking to reporters after the party’s emergency meeting last night, Marzuki said the party reiterated its support for Dr Mahathir as the prime minister.

The former deputy foreign minister also rubbished claims that the party is divided and that several Bersatu members of parliament (MPs) had left the Malay-based party.

“There is not a single MP who has left the party as claimed by certain quarters. The party remains intact and we will stay united in facing any obstacle that comes our way,” he said.

The meeting at Bersatu headquarters here, which started at 9pm, lasted over two hours.

Among the attendees spotted by the media were the party’s president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Datuk Seri Redzuan Mohd Yusof, Dr Mazlee Malik, Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

It is said that Dr Mahathir did not turn up at the meeting.

Asked for his views on Dr Mahathir’s decision to step down as prime minister and Bersatu chairman, Marzuki said he was unable to provide any comments.

On Bersatu’s departure from the Pakatan Harapan coalition, he said the decision was made by Muhyiddin during a Bersatu supreme council meeting on Feb 23, supported by all party leaders. Dr Mahathir also attended that meeting.