00:00Muhyiddin Yassin may have expressed readiness to pass the baton to the next generation of
00:05Bersatu leaders, but analysts say he faces a dilemma as the prospect of a snapped 16th
00:11general election looms.
00:13Ashul Hadi Abdul Hassani of ADA Southeast Asia said a Bersatu leadership transition
00:18before GE16 would signal renewal and could potentially win over voters who view Muhyiddin
00:24as part of an old guard of political has-beens.
00:27Asmil Taib of University Science Malaysia said it would be wise for Muhyiddin to kick-start
00:32a leadership transition plan before GE16 or at least identify his successor.
00:38However, Asmil said it may be too controversial now because Bersatu is fragmented following
00:43the expulsion of Hamza Zainuddin and the resulting resignations.
00:47As was said, Muhyiddin remains Bersatu's most nationally recognized figure and stepping
00:52aside too close to the election could risk internal uncertainty.
00:56Meanwhile, Asmil said Hamza can siphon support from UMNO to Krikata Nacional, unlike other
01:02Bersatu leaders, and that Bersatu must prove it is a better alternative to UMNO by uniting
01:07and preparing for GE16.
01:09Azrul added that Asmin Ali may be the most nationally recognizable successor, but he would need to
01:14prove his electoral strength by winning a parliamentary seat in GE16 after losing Gombat in the 2022
01:20general election.
01:21Thanks Roger Rizzo, FMT.
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