Bersatu's internal turmoil no impact on PN gov't, says Umno man

Bersatu's internal turmoil will not have any impact on the Perikatan Nasional administration, said Umno supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

According to Tajuddin, the clash between Prime Minister and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and the party's disputed chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad - who refused to accept Bersatu's nullification of his party membership - will not affect the PM's position in government.

"There is no problem so long as Muhyiddin continues to receive support from MPs. I don't think Muhyiddin will remain silent.

"He will do something to defend his position and as prime minister, he has many ways to (secure) support," the Prasarana chairperson said when met after a visit to the Sungai Buloh MRT depot.

The clash between Muhyiddin and Mahathir was marked by the "Sheraton Move" which saw the downfall of Harapan and formation of the PN government.

On May 28, Bersatu declared that Mahathir's membership along with those of his son Mukhriz and three others were automatically nullified after they sat on the opposition bench during the last Dewan Rakyat sitting.

All five of them, however, refused to accept the verdict and maintained that their membership still stands along with their party positions.

Aside from Mahathir and Mukhriz, the three other affected members are disputed Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, and disputed supreme council members Maszlee Malik and Amiruddin Hamzah.

Meanwhile, Tajuddin defended the appointment of his Umno colleague, Tanjung Karang MP Noh Omar, as the new chief of Petronas' subsidiary MISC Bhd.

He said this was based on Noh's background as a former Agriculture and Agro-based Industries minister from 2009 to 2013 as well as the latter's experience in the corporate field.

"Noh has a long experience in government, experience as an MP and also as head of a government agency.

"It's true that a company is a business entity, however, experience and education is also important," he said.

"To appoint a politician with no experience will not be adequate.

"I personally have some experience handling small businesses, I don't want to brag or toot my own horn," he added. - Mkini