Navigating factional claims: Hamzah address claims that party harmony is hanging in the balance.
PETALING JAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is said to be rocked by in-fighting which could turn the party election into an ugly fight if problems are not arrested now, say some party leaders.
Top Bersatu leaders have denied the existence of different camps within the party.
Even the recent new appointments into the Bersatu supreme council became a source of discontent with critics claiming it was done to strengthen party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s hand in the party.
However, Muhyddin’s supporters said it was done to form a second base when he does step down.
As to talk that there is a plan brewing to oust Muhyiddin, the man who claimed he has been thrown into the ring said that the whole idea is ludicrous.
Bersatu secretary-general and Perikatan Nasional Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin questioned the logic of such rumours.
Muhyiddin.
“I never harboured such ambitions. How can I, when the party president received unanimous support, to not step down in the last Bersatu annual general assembly?
“Also, I am not eligible to contest for the top two posts under the party constitution,” said Hamzah.
He also claimed that such rumours were created by rivals who feared a young but fast-growing political party.
“In the past two months alone, we have had 13,000 new members, forcing us to create new party branches to accommodate them.
“However, Muhyiddin had allowed all Supreme Council members in the last Jan 29 meeting to voice our differences.
“It shows we are mature leaders. Having differences does not mean we have camps,” said Hamzah.
Bersatu supreme council member and Selangor Perikatan secretary Dr Afif Bahardin said there was no issue or problem within the party except for the six MPs who have thrown their support behind Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Azmin.
He added that, as opposed to allegations by detractors that there was strife within the party, Bersatu’s only problem was to find a way to eject the six MPs from Bersatu and nothing else.
A source, however, said while it was true that there were camps in Bersatu – allegedly those of Muhyiddin’s and Hamzah’s – the situation has changed since the last supreme council meeting.
“At the Jan 29 meeting, everyone was allowed to voice their opinions. After the meeting, those who were unsure that Muhyiddin was a good fit to continue to be president actually complimented him for listening and said that the party needs him to continue.
“Hamzah has no choice but to concede that at this point in time, no one can go against the president – the grassroots will not accept,” said the source.
The source also said that the Bersatu supreme council had agreed for now not to make any changes to the party constitution with regard to contesting eligibility.
A former Selangor Bersatu member, who served as an assemblyman last term, said he was told by his friends in the party that there was indeed some discord between the top leaders.
“It all started after Tan Sri (Muhyiddin) reneged his decision to step down as party president,” he said.
According to the source, Muhyiddin still has strong backing within the party and cannot be easily dislodged at this point in time.
“It all depends if Tan Sri’s (Muhyiddin) men, who are division leaders, win in the upcoming party polls.
“If they win, then the current president’s position will still be rock solid, but if they don’t, some changes may occur,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said that one should not read too much into him being replaced by Labu state assemblyman Hanifah Abu Baker as Negri Sembilan Bersatu chief.
“At the last Bersatu supreme council meeting, which was probably the longest we ever had, all of us agreed that there are hidden hands from the outside who are trying to break us up,” said Ahmad Faisal.
Newly-appointed Selangor Bersatu chief Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said that it is the prerogative of a president to do the needed housekeeping.
“Nothing unusual about it. His appointments of supreme council members such as Padang Serai MP Datuk Azman Nasrudin from Kedah, Taman Medan state assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin and former Srikandi assistant secretary Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi were all made after much consultation.
“Muhyiddin highlighted the need for continuous housekeeping to ensure the party is in its best form at all times.
“I have been in Bersatu and PKR for decades. There, leaders tend to stay on until the cows come home – the same president and the same local leaders controlling during and after elections. In Bersatu, Muhyiddin has formed a succession base by moving leaders around,” said Azmin.
Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, who is also the sole Bersatu MP in Sabah, said that it is “normal” for a young political party to have many eager leaders showing their potential.
“It is growing pains with the new talents and leaders wanting to portray their leadership (by clamouring for support).
“It is normal and healthy. It does not necessarily mean we are divided,” he said.
