KUALA LUMPUR: The dismissal of Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin and 16 others from the party is part of growing pains in Bersatu, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
The party secretary-general said that what happened in Bersatu aligned with the party constitution and was not unusual for any political party.
Azmin also said that there was no question of PAS leaving the Perikatan Nasional coalition due to the axing of Hamzah.
He said this as he was leaving the residence of Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin following a special meeting of the Bersatu supreme council.
"This is a part of the party's maturing process that we must navigate wisely to enable its growth. We do not see this as a blot on the party but we see this as part of the growing pains of a nine-year-old party. There will be changes as we grow up.
"Those who have been expelled may appeal within 14 days in accordance with the constitution. The party has a system to handle crises like this. We will continue to rebuild the party.
"As leaders of a political party, we are prepared for any possibilities but we also have a roadmap for the general elections. There is no question of PAS leaving Perikatan and that was not discussed during today's meeting," said Azmin.
Bersatu associate wing information chief R. Sri Sanjeevan, who also attended the meeting on Saturday (Feb 14) said that those out to "reset" the party have been sacked from the party and lacked the locus standi to speak for it.
"As far as we are concerned, Hamzah is no longer our deputy president. Whether he joins a new party or sets one up is no concern of ours as he is no longer a part of Bersatu.
"The meeting gave Muhyiddin full mandate as president to decide on the Opposition leader's post in Dewan Rakyat on behalf of the party.
"As for those who are claiming that there will be an exodus by associate Bersatu members due to the purge, please show me the numbers," said Sanjeevan.
Bersatu, which has 23 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, has been in the news after the disciplinary board expelled Larut MP Hamzah and 16 others on Friday (Feb 13) in a major purge over allegations that they had tried to sabotage the party and attempted to oust Muhyiddin.
