No leadership rift in Bersatu, says info chief

No leadership rift in Bersatu, says info chief

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has brushed off speculation concerning a leadership rift, saying the party remains united behind Muhyiddin Yassin heading into the 16th general election (GE16).

He cited the unanimous decision made at Bersatu’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Nov 30 last year as proof that the party wants Muhyiddin to continue as president.

“This is not about factions. It was a decision made by members during the AGM.

“If the majority wanted him to step down, he would have done so at the 2023 AGM when he announced that he would not contest in the next party election,” he told FMT.

His remarks come in response to an FMT report citing party insiders who claimed Bersatu was facing internal tensions, with rival factions supporting different leaders to take the party into GE16.

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According to the party insider, tensions surfaced in July last year after Muhyiddin laid out a succession plan, naming Hamzah Zainudin as his deputy and Azmin Ali as secretary-general.

However, that plan created a split within the party, with Azmin’s camp insisting Muhyiddin should remain at the helm while a rival faction wanted Hamzah to take over.

Tun Faisal said that the results of the recent party election are aligned with Muhyiddin’s plan, which saw Hamzah confirmed as deputy president and Radzi Jidin, Ronald Kiandee and Ahmad Faizal Azumu elected as vice-presidents.

“While different leaders may have their supporters, we have accepted the election results. Muhyiddin is the president, Hamzah is the deputy, and our priority now is the general election, not party politics,” he said.

He added that Bersatu had immediately shifted its focus post-AGM, with its youth and women’s wings launching several initiatives, including flood relief efforts.