(This article has been updated.)

KUALA LUMPUR (May 30): Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president and acting chairman, said today Bersatu’s move to suspend Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah and Dr Maszlee Malik’s memberships was not hasty because they have breached the party’s constitution.

In a statement today, Muhyiddin said he did not act hastily on their suspension although he was pestered to take action against Dr Mahathir, Mukhriz, Syed Saddiq, Amiruddin and Maszlee much earlier.

"They were not sacked from the party,” Muhyiddin said.

On the contrary, Muhyiddin said they have breached Bersatu's constitution and their actions have resulted in the immediate suspension of their memberships.

Muhyiddin said he wants to be fair to all parties involved in the matter and ensure actions taken are based on Bersatu’s constitution. 

"There are no individuals, who are above the party’s constitution,” he said.

According to Muhyiddin, Bersatu is indeed sad about Dr Mahathir’s choice to not be in line with the party’s struggle as decided by its supreme council.

Muhyiddin said Dr Mahathir and his followers chose to cooperate with opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan although Bersatu decided not to. 

“If that is Tun (Dr Mahathir’s) choice, I wish (him) all the best,” Muhyiddin said.

Muhyiddin said he is confident that Bersatu, which is now part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition, will remain strong. He said Bersatu has faced many challenges since the early days of the party, which he founded.

“The important thing is we don’t struggle for any individuals but for our religion, race and country,”  he said.