Speaking at a press conference here today, Mahathir said the disagreements within the party were an internal matter and should not be seen as a split in the broader struggle to uphold Malay interests.

“That is a division within their party. But there is no division when it comes to the struggle for the Malay race,” he said.

Asked whether he supported Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin or deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, Mahathir said both leaders were welcome under the broader platform for Malay unity.

“We do not take sides. They are both Malays, and under the big umbrella, they will join as Malays – not as Bersatu members, not as leaders, but as Malays who want to defend Malay interests,” he said.

Mahathir’s comments come amid escalating tensions within Bersatu, following the sacking of Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan and the suspension of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal for allegedly breaching the party’s constitution and code of conduct.

Bersatu’s disciplinary board has also expelled four division chiefs – Azrudin Idris (Hang Tuah Jaya), Faizal Asmar (Pengerang), Fadhli Ismail (Ipoh Timur) and Isa Saidi (Ampang).

The move has triggered unease among party members, with 16 Bersatu MPs signing a letter dated Oct 23 urging Muhyiddin to address what they described as “internal issues” to prevent the party from “falling victim to the ego of any individual leader”.

The MPs said the “unwise” disciplinary actions were “detrimental to the party’s image and momentum”, and disrupted growing public support for Perikatan Nasional’s alternative budget proposal presented by Hamzah.

They also objected to the party’s decision to summon Hamzah before the disciplinary board, saying it “made absolutely no sense”.

In a podcast interview with former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, Wan Saiful claimed that Hamzah was summoned to explain why he was unable to “control” Wan Saiful, but Hamzah did not attend the hearing.