Down to business: Delegates attending the Bersatu convention in Kuala Lumpur. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
SELAYANG: Bersatu has proposed its line-up of the top five leaders ahead of its election to be held in October, with Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin “bumped up” as the party’s deputy president.
The party has also proposed Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee and Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin as Bersatu’s vice presidents, and Datuk Seri Mohamad Azmin Ali as secretary-general.
Hamzah is the current Bersatu secretary-general; Ahmad Faizal is deputy president; Kiandee and Radzi are vice presidents; and Azmin is an appointed supreme council member.
Although the suggested line-up for the five top posts has been made, party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it should not deter members from challenging the top leadership positions in the election.
Muhyiddin said he was given the mandate to broker negotiations ahead of the party election to ensure unity within the party.
“I have met with all the top leaders in the last few weeks to obtain their opinion or feedback. Everyone gave their opinions, ambitions and the positions they hope to be offered, among others.
“These were all considered, but the main reason the supreme council has given me the task is to gain an understanding of who is eligible to take up the important positions,” he said at a press conference at Bersatu’s convention.
Muhyiddin said Ahmad Faizal, who is one of the party’s founding members, had agreed to take “a step back” to allow Hamzah the opportunity to assume the deputy president role.
“Datuk Peja (Faizal) is ready to step back and take up the offer for the vice-president position. I know there are those who want (to contest) the position, but this is part of the formula I have used to recognise his contributions and his willingness to give space and opportunity to Hamzah.
“The proposed line-up is also to recognise Hamzah’s role as Perikatan Nasional secretary-general and Opposition Leader who has major influence among component parties such as PAS,” he added.
Muhyiddin hoped the arrangement would ensure a smoother process in the upcoming party election, reiterating that party members could still contest as it is within their rights.
In his opening speech at the Bersatu convention, Muhyiddin said he had held discussions and negotiated with party members to avoid clashes in the party polls in order to preserve unity.
“The idea for negotiations came up during the party retreat last month.
“One of the proposed motions was for me to meet with the top leadership and discuss ways to avoid clashes within the party.
“The party polls will determine whether we win or lose the 16th General Election. Do not take this lightly; this is not only about our party’s survival but also about our race, country and religion,” he said.
