Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) lifetime member Zaeinal Abidin Omar today questioned the party leadership's decision to appoint former Election Commission chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman as vice-president.

He also questioned the appointment of Abdul Rashid Asari as vice-president, and half of those who are on the list.

“Since when has Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman fought against Najib.

“It is as if after the house is now properly built, and out of nowhere, someone like Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman and others have been brought in. A person who is not recognised as a politician is brought in,” he told Malaysiakini.

Zaeinal Abidin said like some of the leaders in Bersatu, he wants to know whether Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman has the mettle to face the struggle.

“Some of us members have gone through the forest and bushes in our struggle for religion, race and country, is Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman prepared to do that,” he asked further.

Zaeinal Abidin said he had in 2008 proposed Tengku Razaleigh to challenge Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, and is one of the staunchest in opposing Najib.

He hopes the party leadership will accept his criticism with an open heart.

Zaeinal Abidin said his criticism was necessary as he does not want Bersatu to be another Umno, where members only follow, as that is Umno's culture.

"There must be members who are brave to criticise others. We should not sideline (former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad from any decisions and matters concerning the party," he said.

Today, Bersatu announced its full party line-up consisting former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir as the party's deputy president and 14 supreme council members.