PETALING JAYA: Any issue relating to the dismissal of Bersatu members, including its Deputy President Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, is subject to the process stipulated in the party constitution, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali tells Sinar Harian.
The Bersatu secretary-general stressed that the party constitution does not recognise status or individuals.
He told the Malay language daily that any member found to have breached the constitutional provisions or party rules, and where there is a written complaint, will be referred to the disciplinary board for further action.
“The disciplinary board has a mandate to make five types of decisions: issue a warning, acquit, suspend or expel, subject to the evidence submitted and the assessment carried out.
“Therefore, I do not wish to discuss any petition because it is the right of every member to bring the matter to the disciplinary board,” he said when met by Sinar Harian on Friday (Feb 6).
Mohamed Azmin explained that Article 22.5 of the Bersatu Constitution states that if there is a written complaint of misconduct by one member against another from the supreme leadership council, the state leadership body, a division, a branch, or any member, the disciplinary board will hear the complaint.
He was commenting on claims that a petition to expel Hamzah had been circulating on WhatsApp, when met after the “Dialogue with the President” programme held at Bersatu’s headquarters here on Friday.
Elaborating, Mohamed Azmin said the programme was an open platform to brief information machinery at various levels, including MPs and division chiefs.
“The purpose is for all parties to hear directly from the president about the party’s direction, the foundations of the party constitution, and where the party will be taken — especially in facing the next general election.
“Of course, along the political journey there are challenges and trials. The president is responsible for ensuring members at the grassroots adhere to the constitution and work to help the party win as a party accepted by the people,” he said.
On the position of the Perikatan Nasional chairman, Mohamed Azmin said discussions are still ongoing.
“All parties, including Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP), have decided that Perikatan must be defended.
“If there are any issues, they will be brought to the negotiating table. It is this negotiating table that will bring everything together, and I believe that with the wisdom of party leaders, these issues can be resolved harmoniously,” he added.
Previously, Bersatu reiterated that its stance on appointing the Perikatan chairman remained unchanged - it will only accept a candidate from among the presidents of the coalition’s component parties.
Its information chief, Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, said the position was decided at the Bersatu supreme leadership council meeting on Jan 12 and remains in place.
