Petaling Jaya: Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s decision to drop Bersatu bigwigs Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Datuk Seri Radzi Jidin has deepened an already bleeding wound within the coalition.
While the move falls squarely within Ahmad Samsuri’s prerogative, Bersatu leaders are reeling from the fallout.
Datuk Seri Mohd Sanusi Md Nor from PAS would now replace Radzi as the election director, while the Kedah Mentri Besar’s former position as the Perikatan treasurer will be taken up by Malaysian Indian People Party (MIPP) deputy president S. Subramaniam.
Bersatu and PAS have been butting heads over Perikatan’s direction since last December, particularly after Ahmad Samsuri took over as the chairman from Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last February.
Both parties, though, remain components of the coalition.
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that Ahmad Samsuri’s June 17 decision to drop Bersatu leaders Azmin and Radzi is constitutional.
“The decision by Ahmad Samsuri falls within the authority of the chairman according to the Perikatan constitution. Approval from the Supreme Council is not required.
“Similarly, when Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was the chairman, appointments were made without discussion with PAS.
“That said, Bersatu remains a member until a different decision is made, whether through the dissolution of Perikatan, loss of eligibility for Perikatan membership, or termination or expulsion of its membership in Perikatan,” said Tuan Ibrahim, who is also the Pahang Opposition Leader.
He also said that with the new election director, Mohd Sanusi, being from PAS, election work would be more organised.
“Instructions and coordination will be easier, as PAS has already ended its cooperation with Bersatu. Furthermore, the other two components of the coalition – the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) and Gerakan – are now working together with the Reset team.
“However, Bersatu will focus on its own constituency areas, and Perikatan will be easier to manage,” said Tuan Ibrahim.
Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who was a casualty of Ahmad Samsuri’s announcement, seemed to take it in his stride.
“Stay cool, there is still tomorrow,” said Azmin when contacted.
Azmin, who was dropped as the coalition’s deputy secretary-general, refused to elaborate further on his cryptic message.
Bersatu youth wing Armada’s information chief, Harris Idham Rashid, said that Ahmad Samsuri’s decision does not augur well for him.
“Despite being the Perikatan chairman, he cannot simply sack a component party representative.”
Harris said that it appeared that certain quarters were trying to influence matters to help Reset achieve its agenda of kicking Bersatu out.
“Everything is not over between Bersatu and PAS until there are no longer ties between the two parties.
“We are still under the same coalition at the moment. But definitely Wednesday’s announcement cut into the wound deeper,” said Harris.
As to whether Ahmad Samsuri also has the prerogative to not only remove Supreme Council members but also component parties, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s former principal private secretary Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad disputes the constitutionality of the coalition chairman’s prerogative.
Marzuki said Clause 7A of the Perikatan Constitution grants the Presidential Council the authority to make final decisions regarding disciplinary matters involving member parties.
“Decisions of the Presidential Council must be made unanimously. Therefore, although Clause 15 grants the Supreme Council the authority to take disciplinary action against any member party, such action is not final,” he said.
“Disciplinary action under Clause 15 may also only be taken if the member party has acted in a manner contrary to the interests of Perikatan – not in the interests of PAS, Bersatu, MIPP or Gerakan.”
Perikatan information chief and PAS central committee member Tan Sri Annuar Musa likened the problem of Perikatan to a house currently undergoing renovation.
He was alluding to the tussle between PAS and Bersatu over control of Perikatan.
Stating that “leaking roofs” should be replaced, “rotten beams” renewed and the “veranda expanded” to accommodate more occupants, he said that changes must be carried out carefully, gradually and in accordance with the rules.
“Most importantly, the house must stand on land that is owned and has a valid title deed,” said Annuar.
