Citing ‘void’ in party, Bersatu man urges change in top leadership

 

Bersatu leaders like secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin (second from left) may be able to improve the party, says a Supreme Council member. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A Bersatu leader has called for change in the party’s top leadership in anticipation of the next general election (GE16), citing a “void” in the party led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Eddin Syazlee Shith said such change must be done in an orderly manner to fill the “void” in its leadership.

The former Kuala Pilah MP did not name the leaders he felt should step down or be replaced, or detail the specific areas he found lacking in his party.

However, he cited the recent decision of four Bersatu MPs to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, namely Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) and Zahari Kechik (Jeli).

Eddin said party heavyweights like opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin, who is currently Bersatu secretary-general, were capable of taking on heavier responsibilities.

“I see that many leaders in Bersatu like our secretary-general (Hamzah) may be capable of making improvements to the party.

“But there has to be order if we want to initiate change. It doesn’t strictly mean that the secretary-general should replace the president (Muhyiddin), but there must be some sort of formula,” he told FMT.

Bersatu must hold its party election in 2024 after postponing it earlier this year in view of the six state elections in August.

FMT previously quoted party sources as saying that Hamzah, the Larut MP, is expected to be one of the main contenders for the top post in Bersatu if Muhyiddin chooses not to defend the party presidency.

Eddin said party leaders must be magnanimous and relinquish their positions if they were no longer capable of bearing the responsibility.

“If we only think about ourselves … we will fail to see our weaknesses but it will be on display for everyone around us to see. We have to accept that reality.”

The former Negeri Sembilan Perikatan Nasional chief added that the top leadership must use the party’s general assembly next week to heed the voices at the grassroots. - FMT