Muhyiddin rubbishes claim of 'cartel' controlling Selangor Bersatu

 

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has dismissed the allegation that a “cartel” is controlling the party’s Selangor chapter.

He was responding to Bersatu’s Selat Kelang assemblyperson Abdul Rashid Asari, who claimed this is the reason behind his decision to support Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

“There is no cartel. He (Rashid) claims there is a cartel. What cartel?” responded Muhyiddin when quizzed on the matter outside the Registrar of Societies (ROS) office in Putrajaya this morning.

“Bersatu operates based on its constitution and rules. He (Rashid) is the number two in Selangor Bersatu. So if there is a cartel, it must be a cartel with him,” he added.

Previously, Rashid claimed that Selangor Bersatu is dominated by leaders who had joined the party recently.

Selat Kelang assemblyperson Abdul Rashid Asari

Although he did not mention names, it is believed that the assemblyperson was referring to Selangor Bersatu chairperson Azmin Ali.

The term “cartel” is often used in PKR to refer to Azmin and 10 MPs who defected from the party. This led to the downfall of the Pakatan Harapan government in 2020.

Azmin subsequently joined Bersatu and replaced Rashid as the state chief. He is also the state opposition leader.

Don’t point fingers

Muhyiddin told Bersatu leaders not to point the finger at the party for their wrongdoings.

“Don’t look for excuses and reasons after committing a mistake, and then blame the party for it. This is irresponsible,” he added.

S’gor Bersatu chairperson Azmin Ali.

Earlier, Muhyiddin, accompanied by Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, submitted documents on the amendments to the party constitution to the ROS.

On March 2, Bersatu, during an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), amended Clause 10 of its constitution to disallow its lawmakers from defecting.

With the amendment, its lawmakers would automatically lose their membership if they supported rival parties.

So far, six Bersatu MPs have voiced support for the government. They are Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjung Karang), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), dan Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

Yesterday, Muhyiddin urged the ROS to be fair in approving the amendments.