Islahuddin said Bersatu should include the appointment of its chairman into the party’s constitution.

“If Muhyiddin does not want to continue as party president, we suggest the party reintroduce the position of chairman, in view of all his contributions,” Islahuddin told reporters.

Citing Muhyiddin’s achievements in starting the party with two MPs and one assemblyman, Islahuddin said the veteran politician managed to cultivate numerous leaders, growing the party’s roster to 31 MPs and 60 assemblymen.

“Muhyiddin’s knowledge and experience can be utilised to strengthen the future leadership of the party,” he said.

The first and last Bersatu chairman was Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who held the post from 2016 till his departure from the party in 2020.

Muhyiddin subsequently took on the role of acting chairman, but in August that same year, Bersatu Supreme Council member Redzuan Yusof said the party would scrap the position because it was creating internal conflict.