KUALA LUMPUR — Johor Bahru Umno chief Datuk Yahya Jaafar has urged Bersatu members in Johor to return to Umno following the dissolution of 11 party divisions in the state.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Yahya called on affected members to set aside differences and reunite under what he described as a stable and trusted political platform.
“Set aside minor differences, reject divisive politics, and prioritise the larger agenda of state development,” he said.
He described the internal turmoil within Bersatu as a warning that Malay political strength cannot be sustained through division.
“The political strength of the Malay community cannot be built on fragmentation, but must instead be founded on unity and stability,” he said, adding that the moment calls for renewed commitment to safeguarding Johor’s stability and future prosperity.
Yahya also highlighted Johor’s political stability under Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, crediting his leadership with boosting investor confidence and driving economic growth.
“His firm, visionary and results-oriented leadership has ensured Johor continues to record encouraging performance in investments, job creation and fiscal management,” he said.
He reaffirmed Umno’s historical role as the original platform of Malay political struggle, noting that the party shaped national leadership and policy direction both before and after independence.
“History has proven that Umno is the original platform of the Malay struggle where leadership, policies and the nation’s direction were born both before and after independence. It is here that the foundations of Malay political strength were formed and reinforced.”
Yahya said the call is in line with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s “Rumah Bangsa” agenda aimed at reuniting Malays under a stable political umbrella.
Earlier, 11 Bersatu division chiefs in Johor resigned, citing a prolonged leadership crisis that they claimed was poorly handled by the party’s top leadership. The affected divisions are Pontian, Simpang Renggam, Sembrong, Mersing, Johor Bahru, Pengerang, Labis, Tanjung Piai, Seri Gading, Ledang and Pulai.— February 19, 2026