Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin announced today that party vice-presidents Radzi Jidin and Ahmad Faizal Azumu have been tasked to carry out the duties of sacked deputy president Hamzah Zainudin.
In a statement today, he said the decision was made during a special meeting of the Bersatu supreme council aimed at strengthening the party following disciplinary action against Hamzah and 16 other leaders and lawmakers yesterday.
“It is not an action taken arbitrarily, especially when it involves senior party leaders,” he said.
Muhyiddin also stressed that disciplinary measures were part of the mechanisms provided under Bersatu’s constitution to ensure the party remains stable and strong.
Bersatu’s third vice-president, Ronald Kiandee, has openly backed Hamzah but so far has been spared disciplinary action.
Elaborating, Muhyiddin said efforts had been made before the disciplinary action to seek reconciliation through a series of meetings and discussions with the parties involved.
However, he said those attempts were unsuccessful.
“I acted in good faith for one purpose - to ensure that Bersatu remains united, strong, and able to achieve the party’s noble aims and objectives.
“Unfortunately, my efforts were not appreciated by them. Instead, actions that contravened the party constitution and discipline were carried out continuously,” he said.
Internal sabotage and pressure
As president and founder of Bersatu, Muhyiddin said he bore the responsibility of ensuring the party remains strong and stays true to its original cause.
“For years, I have taken a measured approach in facing various forms of internal sabotage as well as pressures from within the party itself.
“I have also given positions in the party leadership to individuals whom I knew opposed me,” he said, adding that he had acted in good faith to preserve unity.
According to Muhyiddin, those efforts were not appreciated, and actions that contravened the party constitution and discipline continued.
“If left unchecked, such actions would damage the party and disappoint loyal party members who remain committed to its struggle,” he said.
He said the leadership, therefore, determined that the time had come to implement the disciplinary process as provided for in the party constitution to “save” Bersatu.
Vow to preserve party unity
Muhyiddin added that the special meeting unanimously agreed to uphold the party’s struggle, rebuild the organisation, strengthen unity among members, and reinforce preparations for the 16th general election.
Photographs from the meeting showed some 30 supreme council members and party leaders present at Muhyiddin’s home in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, today.
The Pagoh MP also called on members to remain calm as the leadership steers the party back to its “original path of struggle to defend the people’s interests”.
“I am confident that with the spirit of togetherness among Bersatu members and loyalty to the party’s cause, we will overcome whatever challenges and trials that confront the party,” he said.
Hamzah is expected to address his supporters in Kuala Lumpur today, but the Larut MP posted a photo last night of him having tea with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang at the latter’s home in Rusila, Terengganu.
Since then, Bersatu’s official Facebook page also appeared to be under the control of Hamzah’s supporters, who in a series of posts launched an open attack against Muhyiddin.
Bersatu’s Facebook page was set up during the term of sacked Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan as information chief, and his successor, Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, today warned of police action against individuals accused of “hijacking” the page.
Part of the maturation process
Meanwhile, Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali said the special meeting discussed measures to strengthen the party and identify focus areas ahead of the coming general election.
“This was a special meeting to deliberate on the next steps to reinforce the party. Alhamdulillah, many proposals were received from supreme council members. We will refine all these proposals and move forward.
“I am confident this is part of the party’s maturation process that we must go through wisely and prudently.
“…after nine years of being established, there will certainly be amendments and changes that we need to make, and that is what we have carried out. In political parties, all parties go through the same process,” he told the media when asked whether Hamzah’s expulsion had tarnished Bersatu’s image.
Azmin added that all those expelled have the right to appeal to the party’s disciplinary board within 14 days.
“It is up to those who have been punished to file an appeal. In Bersatu, we have mechanisms to manage and address crises like this, and all members are subject to the party constitution and provisions.
“Alhamdulillah, we will rebuild several divisions that were affected and identify the efforts we will undertake.
“As leaders of a political party, we must be prepared for all possibilities, and we have examined and discussed these possibilities. We have a clear road map to ensure that this party-strengthening programme continues at various levels,” said the Hulu Kelang assemblyperson. - Mkini
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