Disciplinary action taken to ensure party is saved, says Bersatu president
KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he had acted in good faith when he expelled his deputy Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to ensure that the party is saved.
He claimed that he had to endure many years of attempts by Hamzah, who is Opposition Leader, to sabotage the party despite his own attempts for unity.
Muhyiddin said this in a press release after chairing a special meeting of the Bersatu supreme leadership council at his house in Bukit Damansara yesterday.
The former prime minister said that he felt unappreciated as he had recommended Hamzah to be made deputy president despite knowing that Hamzah was against him.
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He added that disciplinary action was part of the mechanism in the party constitution designed to ensure the party remained stable and strong.
Such action, he added, was not carried out arbitrarily, especially when it involved senior party leaders.
Before taking disciplinary action, efforts were made to seek common ground and save the party through a series of meetings and discussions with the involved parties, said Muhyiddin.
“However, these efforts were unsuccessful. In fact, there were certain individuals who continuously carried out acts of sabotage against the party with the aim of dividing it and undermining the party’s struggle and objectives.
“As president and founder of Bersatu, I have a responsibility to ensure that the party remains strong and stays on the true course of its struggle.
“I, along with many others who have been involved in Bersatu’s struggle from the very beginning, cannot accept seeing this party damaged by irresponsible parties.
“For years, I have taken a measured approach in facing various forms of internal sabotage and continuous pressure from within the party itself. I have also given positions in the party’s leadership line-up to individuals whom I knew opposed me.
“I acted in good faith for one purpose – to ensure that Bersatu remains united, strong and able to achieve the noble aims and objectives of the party’s struggle.
“Unfortunately, my efforts were not appreciated by them. Instead, actions contrary to the party constitution and party discipline were carried out continuously. If allowed to continue, these actions would damage the party and disappoint loyal members who remain committed to the party’s cause.
“Therefore, my colleagues and I in the Bersatu leadership have resolved that the time has come for the party’s disciplinary process, as provided for in the Bersatu constitution, to be implemented in order to save the party.
“This is a necessary step and the best option at this time in our efforts to restore party unity and safeguard the party,” said Muhyiddin in the statement.
He also said that the supreme council had agreed to appoint Datuk Mohd Radzi Jidin and Datuk Seri Ahmad Faisal Azumu to carry out the duties of the deputy president’s post, which has been declared vacant.
Muhyiddin called on Bersatu members to remain calm while the leadership worked to fulfil its aims to work for the people’s welfare.
On Friday, the Bersatu disciplinary board expelled Hamzah and 16 others in a major purge over allegations that they had sabotaged the party and attempted to oust Muhyiddin from the president’s post.
