KUALA LUMPUR: Attempts to damage and divide Bersatu are the main reason former deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin was sacked from the party, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic).
Sinar Harian quoted Muhyiddin on Tuesday (March 3) as claiming that Hamzah also held a secret meeting with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to negotiate without Bersatu's knowledge or permission.
According to the Bersatu president, this and numerous other alleged offences led the party's disciplinary board to take drastic action to prevent the problem from continuing.
"He has made many mistakes, and it piled up.
"From my knowledge, that is why it was brought to the disciplinary board.
"I do not think it is appropriate to go into detail (and list them) one by one because there has already been a decision, on a solid basis, as to why the action was taken.
"If I want to explain, one example is when Ahmad Zahid once made a statement in a gathering that he had met and negotiated with PAS and Bersatu.
"Some linked it to a 'Bangkok Move' or something like that," he said.
Muhyiddin said he had asked in a chat group who had met with Zahid, but did not receive an answer.
"I asked, who met Zahid? Who met Zahid?
"There was no answer, but I have valid information (that) Hamzah met Zahid.
"In our party, this is a big issue, and there has to be discipline," he said.
Muhyiddin said that the issue of Hamzah's dismissal along with several other Bersatu leaders was not about questioning his leadership but something bigger.
"This touches on issues related to the party constitution, causing unrest in the party, straining relations between the leadership at the highest level to the grassroots, and moves that can be deemed a threat.
"He cannot go around pretending to follow anyone's lead without a mandate and without permission or approval from the majority.
"If it is for the good of the party then tell me as president, as this is not a small matter.
"Apparently he has a plan to form a coalition, where he then becomes the DPM (Deputy Prime Minister), while another leader would hold the top post," he said.
Muhyiddin said this was not something to be played around with as it is a serious matter.
"I am sorry, I am unable to share more, but the (decision to sack Hamzah) is reasonable, and the disciplinary board acted based on the information it received," he said.
