This comes amid concerns by the grassroots about the party’s future, after its failure across several states in the last state polls as well as its defeat in the recent Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

A Bersatu grassroots leader who asked to remain anonymous said many wanted the upcoming party elections to strengthen the leadership.

However, he said there was a very limited pool of eligible candidates, especially for the deputy president’s position.

“The requirement of two full terms significantly limits the available options. The majority of the grassroots do not have confidence in Peja to lead the party after Muhyiddin Yassin,” he said, referring to Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

“Bersatu needs strong and influential leadership, and Peja does not have that, given his election failure.”

Article 13.7 of Bersatu’s constitution states that only members who have been a Supreme Council member or division chief for two full terms are eligible to contest the top five positions.

The leader added that Faizal’s influence was limited to Perak, Penang, Kedah, and a small part of Selangor, and that he lacked full support from members in other states.

If the top leadership did not consider the views of the grassroots, he said, the party could follow in the footsteps of Umno.

Yesterday, Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan said Bersatu should enforce Article 14.14 of the party’s constitution and grant exemptions allowing individuals who are not yet eligible to be able to contest for the party’s highest positions.

The Tasek Gelugor MP argued that if the rule was not relaxed, Ronald Kiandee might “peculiarly” be ineligible to defend his vice-president’s position, as he too had not completed two full terms.

He said Hamzah and Azmin might also not be eligible to contest, rendering irrelevant the February meetings that mandated Muhyiddin to lead the search for Bersatu’s future leaders.

Another grassroots leader said Hamzah and Azmin, as powerful forces within Bersatu, could balance and strengthen the party ahead of the 16th general election.