As Bersatu simmers, DAP MP curious about 'Sheraton Move' Azmin's plan
Published: Sep 8, 2025 2:15 PM
Updated: 4:21 PM
Amid Bersatu’s internal turmoil, DAP lawmaker Liew Chin Tong wonders what’s going through secretary-general Azmin Ali’s mind, recalling his pivotal role in the infamous Sheraton Move that toppled the Pakatan Harapan government and elevated Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin to prime minister.
”I wonder what sort of new formula or new configuration is playing on Azmin’s mind when he attempts to come on top to replace Muhyiddin while going against (Bersatu deputy president) Hamzah (Zainudin), and at the same time trying to project himself as a main contender against (Prime Minister) Anwar (Ibrahim) in the larger game,” Liew said.
During the Sheraton Move in 2020, Azmin, who was then PKR deputy president, defected with a group of lawmakers from Harapan.
Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali
Commenting on Muhyiddin’s speech at Bersatu’s annual general assembly over the weekend, where the former premier claimed there was an attempt to oust him, Liew said the turmoil should come as no surprise.
“All is not well in Bersatu. It should not be surprising though because its shaky core leadership, formed from the ashes of the Sheraton Move, consists of people with no clear principles and agenda - Muhyiddin the Bersatu co-founder, Hamzah, the Umno leader who led a group of MPs to jump ship when his party lost the 2018 general election, and Azmin, the PKR defector,” he added in a Facebook post.
Why address agitators?
Analysing Muhyiddin’s speech, Liew said the Bersatu president committed “three glaring mistakes”, including the “not-so-smart move” of drawing attention to his own vulnerability.
“Why bring up the issue of some party people wanting to topple him if he thought it was a ‘small matter’, at least that’s how he described it to journalists when asked about the protest against him inside the meeting hall.
“He even used the word ‘batu api’ (agitators) to refer to those wanting him out, causing an immediate reaction among delegates.
Commenting on Muhyiddin’s speech at Bersatu’s annual general assembly over the weekend, where the former premier claimed there was an attempt to oust him, Liew said the turmoil should come as no surprise.
“All is not well in Bersatu. It should not be surprising though because its shaky core leadership, formed from the ashes of the Sheraton Move, consists of people with no clear principles and agenda - Muhyiddin the Bersatu co-founder, Hamzah, the Umno leader who led a group of MPs to jump ship when his party lost the 2018 general election, and Azmin, the PKR defector,” he added in a Facebook post.
Why address agitators?
Analysing Muhyiddin’s speech, Liew said the Bersatu president committed “three glaring mistakes”, including the “not-so-smart move” of drawing attention to his own vulnerability.
“Why bring up the issue of some party people wanting to topple him if he thought it was a ‘small matter’, at least that’s how he described it to journalists when asked about the protest against him inside the meeting hall.
“He even used the word ‘batu api’ (agitators) to refer to those wanting him out, causing an immediate reaction among delegates.
Commotion at Bersatu AGM, Sept 6
“It was so contradictory of him when, on the one hand claiming that Bersatu is strong and united, and on the other hand, admitting that there are cracks in the party as some factions want to oust him.
“Indeed, it was ironic for him to remind us that he was elected democratically last year for a three-year term, and any changes must be in accordance with the party constitution, when he was the architect of the Sheraton Move,” Liew added.
Clinging to power
Second on Liew’s list was Muhyiddin’s attempt to project himself as Bersatu’s “wira” (hero). Yet, his gesture at the assembly, Liew said, revealed a determination to cling on indefinitely until his dream of becoming prime minister again is fulfilled.
“And that’s the core of the problem because Hamzah, Azmin, and most importantly, PAS realise that Muhyiddin lacks the charisma, strength, and time, and could pose a serious threat to Bersatu’s longevity and Perikatan Nasional’s winnability.
“It was so contradictory of him when, on the one hand claiming that Bersatu is strong and united, and on the other hand, admitting that there are cracks in the party as some factions want to oust him.
“Indeed, it was ironic for him to remind us that he was elected democratically last year for a three-year term, and any changes must be in accordance with the party constitution, when he was the architect of the Sheraton Move,” Liew added.
Clinging to power
Second on Liew’s list was Muhyiddin’s attempt to project himself as Bersatu’s “wira” (hero). Yet, his gesture at the assembly, Liew said, revealed a determination to cling on indefinitely until his dream of becoming prime minister again is fulfilled.
“And that’s the core of the problem because Hamzah, Azmin, and most importantly, PAS realise that Muhyiddin lacks the charisma, strength, and time, and could pose a serious threat to Bersatu’s longevity and Perikatan Nasional’s winnability.
Bersatu president and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin
“At the same time, Hamzah and Azmin do not see eye to eye with each other. Turning to history again, the Sheraton Move happened because Muhyiddin had a problem with (then prime minister and Bersatu co-founder) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) in Bersatu while Azmin had a problem with Anwar in PKR,” he added.
Weighing PN down
Third, Liew contended that the Bersatu president is misreading the ground. Instead of acknowledging his dwindling popularity, he has chosen to bulldoze his way forward, clinging to power by any means necessary.
“As I have mentioned before in my earlier writings, with the two-pronged problems of PN - Bersatu’s internal splits as well as PAS trapped in its 1982 Islamist dogma – Malaysian voters will find it difficult to identify with a fractious opposition.
“Even when PN is harping on Malay issues, not all are convinced with them; and at the same time, they continue to alienate the non-Malay voters, as well as voters in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The commotion at Bersatu’s national conference is a symptom of a larger crisis looming in the party. And an unstable Bersatu will affect PN no matter how popular PAS is among the Malays,” he added.
Weighing PN down
Third, Liew contended that the Bersatu president is misreading the ground. Instead of acknowledging his dwindling popularity, he has chosen to bulldoze his way forward, clinging to power by any means necessary.
“As I have mentioned before in my earlier writings, with the two-pronged problems of PN - Bersatu’s internal splits as well as PAS trapped in its 1982 Islamist dogma – Malaysian voters will find it difficult to identify with a fractious opposition.
“Even when PN is harping on Malay issues, not all are convinced with them; and at the same time, they continue to alienate the non-Malay voters, as well as voters in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The commotion at Bersatu’s national conference is a symptom of a larger crisis looming in the party. And an unstable Bersatu will affect PN no matter how popular PAS is among the Malays,” he added.
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