PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he will take part in the 15th General Election.

       The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president said the party and other Perikatan Nasional component parties such as PAS, Sabah STAR, SAPP and Gerakan would remain in the present government to continue efforts to help the country recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, until the time is right to call for GE15.

       "Then, Perikatan and I, as the chairman, will participate in the election. God-willing, we will make a comeback!" said the Pagoh MP and assemblyman.

       He also said Bersatu leaders should be "role models" to society so the party can stand out in politics.

       "We must always emphasise the principles of unity in a country that is racially and religiously diverse," he said in his speech at Bersatu's fifth anniversary celebrations on Friday (Sept 10), which was livestreamed on Facebook.

       Muhyiddin said party members must remain patient and calm when facing obstacles, and good leadership values must be systematically implemented in the party.

       Muhyiddin also announced the formation of the Bersatu Leadership Academy, which will hold leadership courses centred on values enshrined in the party's constitution.

       "The academy will also focus on inculcating the national spirit as Bersatu's ideology," he added.

       Muhyiddin also said party administration at all levels must be strengthened. This includes Bersatu's Women's Wing Srikandi and its Youth Wing, Armada.

       Muhyiddin said while Bersatu is a relatively new party, the public would be able to see it was different from other parties in the country, if administered properly.

       "We will make a difference and we will bring about real change to the country's political values, cultures and practices," he said.

       Muhyiddin urged party members to make all necessary preparations to support the party for the 15th General Election and to continue doing charitable works to prove that Bersatu's political culture was about serving Malaysians.

       Earlier, Muhyiddin explained that he had to abide by the Federal Constitution and had to resign as prime minister once he lost his parliamentary majority.

       Muhyiddin said if Bersatu had abstained from being part of the present government, the national political situation would have been unstable as no MP had a clear majority.

       Muhyiddin resigned as prime minister on Aug 16 and he was replaced by Ismail Sabri.