Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin refused to comment on media reports that Willie had applied to join Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), though he hoped the matter would be resolved amicably.

“Azmin and the Bersatu leadership have contacted him. If Willie meets Azmin, I believe he (Willie) will meet me after that.

“We will resolve any issues that may arise,” he said in a press conference.

According to a report from The Borneo Post yesterday, Willie hoped PBB would accept his application which he said was submitted several months ago.

Willie, who is deputy plantation industries and commodities minister, was among the 10 MPs who followed Azmin in exiting PKR following the Sheraton Move in February 2020, which led to the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government.

He had said he did not join any party after the PH government was toppled but was merely “parked under Bersatu” in order to support the government of the day.

Recently, there were also rumours that Azmin would quit Bersatu after Zuraida Kamaruddin quit the party about two weeks ago. Azmin, Zuraida and Willie used to be colleagues in PKR.

Muhyiddin and Azmin have since denied the rumours, with the latter saying Bersatu’s ideals and principles reflected his “identity”.