Full Breakdown
Leadership Crisis in Malaysia's Bersatu Party Following Facebook Page Hijacking
2/16/2026, 2:46:50 AM
Overview of the Incident
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has recently faced a significant leadership crisis marked by an alleged unauthorized takeover of its official Facebook page. The incident occurred on February 12, 2023, when the page was filled with erratic posts questioning the party leadership, particularly targeting president Muhyiddin Yassin and supporting former deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, who was among 17 members expelled from the party. Following the takeover, Bersatu lodged reports with the police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and Meta to address the situation.
Internal Turmoil and Leadership Struggles
The leadership crisis within Bersatu has been exacerbated by a series of expulsions, including that of Hamzah Zainudin and several other prominent members, which has intensified the ongoing power struggle between Muhyiddin and his opponents. The posts on the hijacked Facebook page included criticisms of the leadership's actions, with one post mockingly questioning, “How can you become Prime Minister if you can’t even manage Facebook?” This turmoil reflects deeper divisions within the party, as factions rally around different leaders, with some calling for Muhyiddin's resignation.
Official Responses and Actions Taken
In response to the crisis, Muhyiddin convened a Special Meeting of the Supreme Leadership Council to address the unrest. He emphasized that the disciplinary actions taken were necessary to maintain party stability and were grounded in the party's constitution. Muhyiddin stated, “Disciplinary action is part of the mechanism provided for in the party constitution to ensure that the party remains stable and strong.” He also noted that previous reconciliation efforts had failed, leading to decisive action against those he described as engaging in sabotage.
Criticism and Opposition
The leadership's actions have not gone unchallenged. Following the expulsions, associate wing chief Chong Fat Full resigned, expressing disappointment with Muhyiddin's leadership and indicating that a significant portion of the associate wing members might follow suit. Chong criticized the president for surrounding himself with the wrong people and for the perceived unfairness in the disciplinary actions taken against party members. This dissent highlights the growing discontent among party ranks regarding the current leadership approach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Disciplinary action is part of the mechanism provided for in the party constitution to ensure that the party remains stable and strong.” — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, President of Bersatu
- “Dr Chong, who joined Bersatu after the Sheraton Move in 2018, said: “The party is hyper-sensitive now and I am expecting the disciplinary board to come after me now that I have voiced my intention and criticised the party.” — Chong Fat Full, Associate Wing Chief
What's Next for Bersatu?
As Bersatu navigates this leadership crisis, the party is expected to regroup and prepare for the upcoming 16th General Election. The Supreme Leadership Council has appointed Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin and Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu to carry out the duties of deputy president in an interim capacity. The party's future direction will depend on how effectively it can address internal divisions and restore unity among its members.
