PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) should resign from the Federal Government after its poor showing in the Johor state election, said Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

       Mohd Puad, who won the Rengit seat on Saturday, said Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is National Recovery Council chairman, and ministers from the party should quit their government.

       Perikatan Nasional, led by Bersatu, contested all 56 seats and won only three – Maharani, Endau and Bukit Kepong.

       “He (Muhyiddin) said he was ready to resign because Bersatu lost badly in the Johor state election.

       “Muhyiddin and Bersatu’s ministers should resign from the government,” Mohd Puad said in a Facebook post yesterday.

       Mohd Puad said Bersatu performed badly despite its relentless campaigning and big spending.

       “Muhyiddin had attacked Umno and its leaders throughout Bersatu’s campaign in Johor as well.

       “Therefore, is it dignified for Muhyiddin and Bersatu ministers to remain in an Umno-led government? Hit the ‘button’ (to resign) if you are honourable. The people of Johor do not believe that you care about Johoreans,” he said, referencing Muhyiddin’s statement on Nov 12 that he could force the dissolution of the Johor state assembly “with the push of a button”.

       On Sunday, Muhyiddin said he was prepared to step down as Perikatan chairman and assume responsibility for the outcome of the Johor election.