PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s recent shift in support from a couple of grassroots leaders does not spell a major split but is a normal occurrence within a political party, say its senior leaders.
The recent resignation of Dr Mahathir Mohd Rais as the Federal Territories Bersatu secretary and member of the party following his opposition to the controversial royal addendum issue has raised concerns about support for Bersatu’s new top leadership.
Mahathir also quit as Federal Territories secretary of Perikatan Nasional, of which Bersatu and PAS are the main component parties.
Before the Court of Appeal heard the application for judicial review on the supposed royal addendum granting house arrest for Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Jan 6, PAS surprisingly pushed for a rally in support of the jailed former prime minister.
Some Bersatu leaders joined in the chorus, though the party was divided over the matter.
Before Mahathir’s resignation, Bersatu’s youth wing exco member Wan Meor Safwat Naquiddin also stepped down from his post, citing no confidence in the new Armada chief Hilman Idham.
Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, when contacted, said it is normal for disagreements to arise within any political party.
“All is well in Bersatu as well as in Perikatan – there is no friction between Bersatu and PAS.
“The issue of members stepping down or resigning is a normal occurrence in a political party. We have members resigning but we also have new ones joining,” said Kiandee.
Mahathir said the course and struggle of Bersatu have taken a direction far removed from the ideals he believed in.
“When I joined Bersatu in 2017, it was because of the promise of a hope shared by many who saw Bersatu as a game changer.
“Today, the course has shifted entirely. My own deputy back in Segambut was facing charges of corruption and money laundering related to Jana Wibawa. I am saddened that, because of his alleged wrongdoing, my reputation gets tarnished as well,” he said.
Bersatu Srikandi (women’s wing) chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said that in any party, there are bound to be shifts in grassroots leadership when top leadership changes.
The new party line-up was sworn in last month after the party polls in November 2024.
