Bersatu suspends Ronald, Mas Ermieyati

 

The Bersatu disciplinary council has suspended party vice-president Ronald Kiandee and its Women’s wing chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin for two terms, or six years, effective today.

The Beluran and Masjid Tanah MPs separately revealed the decisions on their social media.

According to the decision letter signed by Bersatu disciplinary board chairperson Radzi Manan, both leaders were suspended under Clause 9.1.4 of the party’s constitution, which deals with “serious breaches” of party discipline.

The letter also stated they have 14 days to appeal against the decision, but both Ronald (above, left) and Mas Ermieyati told Malaysiakini they will not be doing so.

When contacted, Ronald described the suspensions as a sign that the disciplinary board has become a “tool” to further an agenda aligned with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

“They know I can’t or will not leave the party on my own because of the anti-hopping provisions. So yes, (the disciplinary board) is a tool,” he told Malaysiakini.

Ronald further noted that the Bersatu disciplinary board is also unlikely to sack 11 other MPs who have similarly declared support for Hamzah, citing political developments since the initial purge on Feb 13.

“Being sacked has given more room for Hamzah and the others to make their next moves, so maybe now the party has regretted that decision,” he claimed.

‘Long-awaited decision’

In an earlier Facebook post, Ronald claimed Bersatu’s direction over the past two years has increasingly strayed.

“Every action appears to be focused on a single objective: to elevate Muhyiddin as the poster boy and candidate for the 11th prime minister.

“Anyone seen as potentially standing in the way of this agenda will be removed.

“The disciplinary board has become the most effective instrument to carry out such actions,” he claimed.

In an Instagram post, Mas Ermieyati hinted that the decision was long-awaited.

“Finally, I have been suspended. That’s all the disciplinary board can do.

“As for me, syukur alhamdulillah!! Thank you to all. Khalas (finish)!!!” she said.

Mas Ermieyati, however, declined to comment on whether the suspension was intended to force her own exit from the party and trigger anti-party-hopping provisions, which would see her lose the Masjid Tanah seat.

Hamzah had said last night during a buka puasa event he hosted as parliamentary opposition leader that Bersatu would do well to sack all the remaining leaders aligned to him so they could move on. - Mkini