No plans to readmit former Bersatu members en masse, says Muhyiddin

 The Bersatu president says decisions of the disciplinary board on suspensions and expulsions remain valid, and there are no plans to readmit former members en masse as Umno did.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said the party has fully recovered from the recent internal turmoil which led to suspensions and expulsions of several leaders.

SHAH ALAM:

 Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin says the party has no plans to unconditionally readmit members who have been expelled or suspended, unlike Umno.

Speaking to reporters at the Selangor Bersatu convention here today, Muhyiddin said all decisions by the party’s disciplinary board on suspensions and expulsions remain valid and continue to be enforced.

“These (decisions) are (related to) those who have committed offences that fall under the disciplinary board’s jurisdiction, and action has already been taken. The effects of the decisions are still being felt.

“As for comparisons with Umno, that is a separate matter. As of today, we maintain our decision, and we are not aware whether any appeals have been submitted,” he said when asked whether Bersatu would consider readmitting former members unconditionally, as Umno recently did.

Umno has welcomed back former leaders such as Khairy Jamaluddin and Hishammuddin Hussein under the party’s “Rumah Bangsa” platform, a move that analysts say signals a broader strategy by the party to consolidate its strength ahead of the next general election.

Bersatu’s internal crisis has resulted in the expulsion of deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, followed by the suspensions of vice-president Ronald Kiandee and Srikandi chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

During his speech at the convention, Muhyiddin said Bersatu has fully recovered from the recent internal turmoil. He said swift action was taken by the party’s leadership, and conditions within the party have “returned to normal”.

“This is reflected in the large-scale events we held during Ramadan and Aidilfitri (celebrations), which were attended not only by Bersatu members but also members of the public in significant numbers,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the party’s recovery has effectively refuted claims that Bersatu would collapse due to the internal crisis.

On PN and Hamzah’s party

When asked whether Bersatu would support the entry into Perikatan Nasional of a new party potentially led by former Bersatu leaders headed by Hamzah, Muhyiddin said the matter must first be reviewed by the coalition’s Supreme Council.

However, he said it would not be easy for PN to accept a new party. “That is their right if they want to apply to join PN. But whether the PN Supreme Council will consider and approve it is another matter.

“There are criteria that must be followed,” he said, without elaborating. - FMT