Bersatu leader defends Muhyiddin nomination, says it's within party's rights

A Bersatu leader has defended the party’s move to name its president, Muhyiddin Yassin, as its candidate for the 11th prime minister, despite chiding voices of reprimand from fellow Perikatan Nasional partner PAS.

Taking to Facebook today, Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz highlighted that since the decision was made on Bersatu’s platform and not PN’s, other parties within the opposition coalition are free to execute similar moves.

“Any party within PN may also do the same through their own general assembly, which is the highest platform within their party.

“Such decisions are legally valid compared to those made through media statements or other platforms,” he added.

Tun Faisal (above) highlighted that out of “ethics and respect”, Bersatu has never interfered with or named leaders from other PN component parties as its candidates for prime minister.

“Bersatu will also respect the decisions of Gerakan and MIPP’s (Malaysian Indian People’s Party) general assemblies as well as the PAS muktamar as they are (calls) made on their own platforms, by their members, concerning their leaders,” he said.

He stressed that Bersatu’s decision to unanimously endorse Muhyiddin as a prime minister candidate represents the proposal of party members and must be respected as their right and will.

“The motion from Bersatu’s annual general meeting will then be brought to the PN presidential council and must be decided by consensus within the council,” he added.

Hasty decisions

Yesterday, Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali said delegates at the 8th Bersatu annual general meeting in Shah Alam had unanimously supported three key resolutions.

They include adopting the president’s policy speech, backing Muhyiddin’s leadership of Bersatu, and formally nominating him as the party’s prime ministerial candidate.

In response, PAS leaders cautioned against making hasty decisions without proper consultations among other PN members.

PAS and PN election director Sanusi Nor reportedly highlighted that Bersatu cannot make such vital decisions on its own without the consensus of other coalition partners, urging Bersatu not to be “overly enthusiastic” on its own.

Expressing similar sentiments, Annuar Musa said today that naming a prime ministerial candidate is not a priority for PN at this moment, stressing instead that efforts should focus on strengthening each party and building credible alliances.

The deputy director-general of PAS’ central election department also said that the political reality shows that no single party has the strength to form a government on its own, thus necessitating cooperation with others.

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