Bersatu not lacking in leaders, Tun Faisal says amid resignations

 

Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has insisted the party is not lacking in leadership despite the departures of leaders who were either sacked or resigned in recent weeks.

In a statement, Tun Faisal said divisions affected by the actions of supporters aligned with sacked deputy president Hamzah Zainudin have a succession line capable of maintaining the party's struggle.

"Insya-Allah, for every troubled division, other leaders will step forward. This party is not short of leaders. If a division chief is absent, there is still the deputy, the vice-chief, and committee members to shoulder the responsibility," he said.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin’s move to sack Hamzah and 16 other leaders, including MPs and assemblypersons, has so far failed to douse the factional flames with ongoing resignations of division-level members.

Sacked Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin

Tun Faisal, however, said their departures will open spaces for others to rise.

“Their absence will open spaces for many within the party who wish to step forward and fight for the party, and it will also create opportunities for those outside who want to join Bersatu.

“As long as there is a thorn in the flesh and embers beneath the husk, it is difficult for us to move forward.

“Alhamdulillah, these malicious and treacherous elements are now gone,” he said.

Dissolved or not?

Hamzah’s supporters have claimed that 26 division committees were disbanded as of yesterday, along with several others from Bersatu Youth, Women, and Young Women wings.

However, Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali denied the dissolution of any divisions, asserting that division committees have no authority to dissolve themselves, as such powers rest solely with the supreme leadership council.

Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali

Tun Faisal, who is also a supreme leadership council member, added that the disciplinary board’s decision to sack Hamzah was in accordance with Clause 22 of the party constitution and its Code of Ethics.

"The board acted appropriately after Hamzah failed as deputy president to prevent his followers from repeatedly violating the constitution and party discipline, which ultimately damaged the party's image," he said. - Mkini