PETALING JAYA: The decision by Selat Kelang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari to declare support for the Selangor Mentri Besar shows that state Opposition chief Datuk Seri Azmin Ali does not have solid support, says Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi.
The Umno supreme council member said Abdul Rashid's decision to support the Mentri Besar is a "deadly slap" for Azmin.
"If it's true that five more assemblymen will follow Rashid's footsteps, it means that Azmin is not solid in Selangor," said Puad in a statement posted on his Facebook on Thursday (March 7).
On Wednesday (March 6), Abdul Rashid declared support for the leadership of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
The former Selangor Bersatu chairman said he made the decision after considering Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's speech in which he praised the state government's administration for being on the right track for the progress and well-being of the people.
Puad also described Rashid's move as a "kamikaze" (suicidal move), as Bersatu just amended its party constitution.
"He (Rashid) is not scared of the amendments. He is more worried of the Bersatu sinking ship," noted Puad.
On March 2, Bersatu held an extraordinary general meeting and successfully introduced an amendment to its party constitution, aimed at preventing future "defections" of its elected representatives.
Party delegates who attended the EGM unanimously supported a motion to amend Article 10 of the Bersatu constitution.
Puad also warned that Bersatu might be heading towards a party constitutional crisis if the amendments could not be enforced before it is approved by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
"Azmin had once said that the people are tired of Bersatu MPs and state assemblymen shifting their support. Did he forget, he also made the rakyat tired by being involved in the Sheraton Move," said Puad.
The 2020 Sheraton Move saw Azmin and a group of PKR MPs switch parties to the opposing Barisan Nasional, Bersatu and PAS, causing the collapse of the then Pakatan Harapan government after only 22 months in power.
