PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s annual general meeting is expected to cement cracks caused by the party polls and put the wheels in motion in its bid to reclaim Putrajaya with Perikatan Nasional, say party leaders.
The three-day meet from tomorrow is likely to quell rumblings against Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the former prime minister battles corruption charges.
The leaders said they expected the line-up picked during the party polls held earlier this month to work to give the party an edge as Bersatu seeks to regain its lost lustre.
They said the AGM is also expected to give full backing to Muhyiddin to continue leading the party and Perikatan until at least the 16th General Election (GE16).
This followed remarks by a top PAS leader that the party, a key component of Perikatan, is also capable of supplying one from its own ranks to be prime minister should Perikatan win the next national polls.
Incoming vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said after the “intensive” party polls which saw many new faces elected to party positions, the AGM will be a time to close ranks.
“The party polls are over. This is the last AGM for the 2024 term and there will be a number of handovers, especially with new faces heading the Armada (Youth wing) and Srikandi (Women’s wing).
“We saw the members participating in the party polls in a mature manner. We must get it right this AGM as we have less than three years to prepare for GE16,” said Ahmad Faizal, who is the outgoing party deputy president.
The Bersatu polls were held earlier this month with the new line-up scheduled to be sworn in at the AGM. Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, the outgoing secretary-general, will formally take up post as the new party No. 2, while Datuk Seri Azmin Ali will be firmly in the engine room as secretary-general after his initial deliberation.
During the party polls, the lines were said to be drawn between two teams – one aligned with Hamzah and the other with Azmin.
The party polls saw an equal share of the top posts won by both teams, with incoming Srikandi chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said to be with Hamzah while the new Armada chief Hilman Idham is seen as Azmin’s ally.
With such a scenario, party insiders say the shadow play between Hamzah and Azmin is set to continue way past the AGM.
Outgoing supreme council member and party founder member Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof said the AGM will provide Muhyiddin with a platform to send strong signals, including on the issue of who would finally succeed him.
“After all, the president knows very well that he is being targeted by certain powers within the party working to unseat him, with all the talk that he should not continue in his position due to his legal battles.
“I hope that the new line-up will clearly outline to the grassroots about Bersatu’s avowed objective of retaking Putrajaya,” said Mohd Redzuan.
Hilman urged division leaders to present people-centric policies to offer the party as a strong alternative to the present government.
“As much as the party has led the federal government, we have to look forward now.
“This AGM, without any hesitation, Bersatu must strengthen its role as a progressive political platform by introducing initiatives highlighting its ideals and struggles. We must solidify the party’s position,” he added.
Hilman said the “formula” inspired by Muhyiddin had worked with credible leaders taking charge of the party, in reference to those endorsed by the party president in the party polls.
The Armada and Srikandi wings will hold their AGMs tomorrow, while the main event, Bersatu’s AGM, will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
