IPOH: Claims that Bersatu is growing stronger and more formidable in Perak are far from the actual situation at the grassroots level, says the party's former Ipoh Timor division chief Mohd Fadhli Ismail.
Responding to a statement by Perak Bersatu chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu in a Malay Daily on Tuesday (April 6) that the party was becoming stronger in the state, Fadhli said: "As a former leader who understands the pulse of grassroots members, I wish to stress that Bersatu in Perak is currently facing a severe crisis of confidence.
"The party’s strength is not only weakening, but is deteriorating following the series of expulsions involving Members of Parliament and state assemblymen in Perak who once formed the backbone of Bersatu."
Fadhli added in a statement issued on Tuesday (April 7) that several key facts were not highlighted by Ahmad Faizal, including the dissolution of division committees.
"A total of 10 division committees in Perak have been dissolved. This is not a small or trivial number.
"These divisions involve strategic constituencies with both state and parliamentary seats.
"They also represent the majority of active branches across the state. When these branches are no longer functioning, how can it be logical to claim that the party is getting stronger?" he asked.
He claimed that the current line-up of Bersatu leaders in Perak is not truly attentive to the welfare of the people.
"They are no longer respected community leaders, but only hold positions on paper without strong support from the grassroots," he said.
He added that Ahmad Faizal himself has proven to be a failed leader.
"His inability to manage the party’s internal crisis in Perak is clear evidence of his weakness in leading it.
"If the intention to lead is no longer sincere and is driven by certain interests, how can Bersatu become strong?" he said.
He also claimed that the expulsions and closure of divisions by the current Bersatu leadership are not acts of unity, but only fracture the unity of Malays and Malaysians as a whole.
"I would like to advise Ahmad Faizal to stop daydreaming. He should go to the ground and help people who are facing difficulties.
"Provide meaningful service even without holding the title of ‘Yang Berhormat’. Do not only appear when elections are near," he added.
Fadhli urged Ahmad Faizal not to cling to party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin just to safeguard personal interests and remain politically relevant.
"My advice is, do not act like a cassowary when in reality you are just a sparrow, for the sake of political survival and personal gain.
(The cassowary is reputed to be the world's most dangerous bird, capable of inflicting serious injury on people if provoked.)
"Grassroots members and the rakyat are not blind in judging leaders who truly serve the people versus those who are only chasing positions," he added.
