Dr M: We'll take action against Bersatu members who make damaging statements

PUTRAJAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia members should exercise discipline and be cautious when making statements that could damage the party's reputation, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

While not naming any particular individual, the Bersatu chairman said the party was considering taking action against a party leader who made remarks that were deemed to be damaging.

"There needs to be discipline in the party, particularly among members of the presidential council and the supreme council.

"Those who hold positions in the party need to be careful when making statements.

"If they say things that damage the party's image, we will take action against them.

"This is following a statement made by someone that Pakatan Harapan would lose in the next election," said Dr Mahathir at a press conference after chairing a Bersatu meeting here on Thursday (Aug 29).

Dr Mahathir said the matter would be forwarded to the party's disciplinary committee, who will then propose the next step of action to the supreme council.

Recently, Bersatu's Datuk Rais Hussein Mohamed Ariff had said at a forum that Pakatan would lose if a general election was held the next day.

Rais is often referred to as the party's "chief strategist", but Dr Mahathir has come out to deny that such a post exists.

"We have never had a chief strategist.

"I have no idea who appointed who here. That is a self-proclaimed title," said Dr Mahathir.

Asked if the party discourage freedom of speech, Dr Mahathir said,"no".

"Members are free to say what they want, but they cannot go and say the party will lose. That is damaging our image," he said.

He also announced that the party's annual general meeting as well as party elections would be held on June 20 next year.

He added that Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar Syed Jaafar had been appointed the party's election committee chairman.- Star