Dungun Bersatu Youth chief Syahir Ammar Sazely said differences of opinion are no reason to suspend or expel a member, but signify political maturity and the strength of one’s fight.

“We respect (Saifuddin’s) views, given his long experience as an MP and Supreme Council member.

“His words are not merely his personal opinion, but also reflect the anxiety and concern felt by grassroots members, shared as well by several division leaders, including the Dungun division chief.

“All views should be celebrated and deliberated upon, not hastily punished,” Syahir said in a statement tonight.

Earlier, Saifuddin told Berita Harian that Muhyiddin should step down as Bersatu president, claiming the former prime minister had “lost his leadership quality” and was no longer the same leader he once admired.

He accused Muhyiddin of failing to convene party meetings, and also called for the resignation of senior party figures Azmin Ali and Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz.

Bersatu Youth information chief Harris Idaham Rashid then called for immediate disciplinary action against Saifuddin, saying his attack on Muhyiddin clearly reveals his “malicious intent to damage the party”.

He said Saifuddin should leave the party if he has lost trust in the president, and that his remarks were a deliberate attempt to undermine the party for his own interests, or those of certain groups.

Dungun Bersatu chief Abdul Aziz Ismail also called for Muhyiddin to go on garden leave and for Azmin to be dropped as secretary-general, attributing issues plaguing the party to several “irrelevant” persons.

Saying it is time for Bersatu to “make several bold strategic changes for its future”, he added that his division also wants Tun Faisal to be replaced by a more “proactive and capable” successor who can fortify the machinery at the division level.