Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said the decision, taken at yesterday’s council meeting, was in line with a similar decision backing Muhyiddin last November when he announced that he would not defend his position at the next party elections.
The Bersatu Supreme Council immediately rejected his decision, with Muhyiddin backtracking on the matter the next day.
Muhyiddin has been the party’s president since its inception in 2016.
On other party matters, Hamzah said:
- party elections – candidates intending to contest other posts at the elections in October must apply to the Supreme Council to do so, in line with the party constitution.
- the annual general assembly will be held on Nov 30-Dec 1, with the youth and women’s wings meeting on Nov 29, and the allied wing on Nov 28.
- division elections will be held on Oct 12-26 and branch elections on July 20-Aug 31.
- 7 ‘rebel’ reps – the party has decided on the status of the six MPs and one state assemblyman who declared support for the government and he has been directed to take further action.
The six MPs are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan). The assemblyman is Abdul Rashid Asari (Selat Klang, Selangor).
All seven said they would remain loyal to Bersatu despite having shown support for the government. Last Sunday, the seven were declared as having ceased to be members of the party after failing to respond to a notice to confirm their loyalty.