Mukhriz: Bersatu division leaders propose top three positions in party be uncontested

KUALA LUMPUR: Division leaders in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) are proposing for the top three positions in the party - chairman, president and deputy president- to be uncontested in the coming party polls, says Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

“Right now, the word we hear coming from division leaders is that they are suggesting that the three positions not be contested, which is the chairman, president and deputy president.

“What it means is that if there is someone nominated for those positions, then they will allow the contest.

“But there are suggestions on the ground discouraging anyone from at least (contesting) the chairmanship. It is a given that we still want him as the chairman,” said Mukhriz, who is Bersatu deputy president, to reporters at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday (July 2). 

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is currently Bersatu chairman, while Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is the president.

According to Mukhriz, Dr Mahathir will defend his position as the chairman of Bersatu, adding that there isn’t any indication by anyone intending to challenge him for the post.

Mukhriz, who is the youngest son of Dr Mahathir, said the party’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) will see proposed amendments to the party constitution.

He also said that the “one member one vote” system will be brought up for discussion in the coming EGM.

Bersatu, which was formed in September 2016, will hold an EGM on July 20.

Speculation was rife that the party polls is expected to be postponed due to issues with the Registrar of Societies but on June 27, Dr Mahathir said that there will not be any postponement to Bersatu’s polls.