PPBM to amend constitution before elections

PPBM secretary-general Marzuki Yahya (third from left) and Melaka party officials at the opening of the PPBM Melaka office at the Melaka International Trade Centre yesterday. (Bernama pic.)

MELAKA: PPBM will amend its constitution next month before the party elections, its secretary-general Marzuki Yahya said.

Marzuki, who is also deputy foreign minister, said the constitutional amendments to be made through its general meeting would involve a substantial shift in clauses in the constitution.

“These constitutional amendments are important for the party before we go about setting the branch and division election dates.

“We do not want the media to focus too much on Bersatu’s (PPBM) election because as a new party of over two years old, there are still many things that need to be improved,” he told reporters after officiating an Aidilfitri open house and the opening of the PPBM Melaka office at the Melaka International Trade Centre yesterday.

PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday the party elections due to be held this year would not be delayed.

Marzuki said he agreed with Mahathir that the party’s elections should be held soon to select more aggressive leaders who better understand its struggles and are committed to expanding the party.

“As the secretary-general, I will find ways to speed up the party elections because what we are facing now is that many of our division leaders have shown little commitment to increase membership and there are also some who restrict membership and impede the establishment of branches,” he said.

He said this was not good for PPBM as it stifled development of the party which has now reached nearly 500,000 members with over 2,000 branches and 198 divisions, including in Sabah and Sarawak. - FMT