by ALIFAH ZAINUDDIN/ pic by HUSSEIN SHAHARUDDIN

PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia said it renounced its affiliation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) on Feb 23, spelling the end of its alliance with the group and paving way for a new union with other political parties.

Bersatu leaders in a statement yesterday said there is no question the party has exited PH and that it has subsequently joined forces with other camps to form the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. “This decision is clear and does not need to be disputed,” the statement read.

The decision to join PN was made for the sake of people’s wellbeing and political stability in the country. The declaration was signed by 27 Bersatu Supreme Council members and state leaders.

It said the decision was made at the party’s Supreme Council meeting, a day before Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad quit as party chairman after submitting his resignation as prime minister (PM) to the King.

The statement also underlined support for PN led by party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (picture). Names in the joint statement included Bersatu VP Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, women’s wing chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun, secretary general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and information chief Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.

The list also included state chiefs Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim (Negri Sembilan), Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor (Kelantan), Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Nor (Sabah), Datuk Razali Idris (Terengganu), Mazlan Bujang (Johor), Capt (retired) Muhammad Suhaimi Yahya (Federal Territories) and Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian (Sarawak).

Notable names that were omitted were supreme council members Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Datuk A Kadir Jasin, Tariq Ismail, Dr Maszlee Malik and youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

The statement comes a day after Dr Mahathir said at a press conference that the party was still with PH. The 95-year-old said Muhyiddin made a decision to take the party out without the approval of the supreme council.

Kadir, in a statement on Facebook, later challenged the party to remove Dr Mahathir as Bersatu chairman. “I dare you to try. You can attempt it if you think Muhyiddin is very powerful that he can do whatever he pleases,” he said.

The country’s ruling parties on Sunday announced their support for the establishment of PN amid doubts over whether Muhyiddin commanded the majority of the legislature.

However, immediately after the half-day parliamentary sitting on Monday, some PN leaders clarified their allegiance to the Opposition bloc, while others said the agreement was inked merely to facilitate the chamber’s seating arrangement.

According to the seating plan released on Monday, there were 114 MPs aligned to the government, which would give Muhyiddin a slim three-seat majority.

They included Umno leaders Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, who are all facing trial in court for corruption.