Dinner turns loyalty test, Wan Fayhsal says Muhyiddin allies compromised

Bersatu infighting is heating up as the divide between those supporting either party president Muhyiddin Yassin or his deputy Hamzah Zainudin threatens to become an irreparable gulf.

Hamzah's allies are rallying to defend him amid speculation that groundwork is being laid to have the deputy president axed or suspended from the party after the disciplinary board issued a summons against him over alleged involvement in efforts to topple Muhyiddin.

Meanwhile, a dinner Muhyiddin hosted for Bersatu elected representatives last night is being viewed by some as a test of loyalty.

In a Facebook post past midnight, suspended Bersatu leader Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal challenged Hamzah's enemies to “bring it on” and take action if they dare.

He also accused Muhyiddin of surrounding himself with sycophants as well as alleged drunkards and sinners. He did not name names.

He added that these leaders have no dignity because they are "beholden" to the Madani government.

When asked to clarify his remarks, Wan Fayhsal claimed that such leaders have been implicated in graft.

"There are leaders close to Muhyiddin who have outstanding cases with the MACC.

"So how can they help Perikatan Nasional and Bersatu win (the next election) when they are compromised by these (investigation) files which (Prime Minister) Anwar (Ibrahim) holds?" he told Malaysiakini.

He did not elaborate or substantiate his claims.

Wan Fayhsal was among the Bersatu MPs who had been punished over efforts to oust Muhyiddin as party president.

Hamzah has long been accused of supporting the anti-Muhyiddin camp despite the Bersatu deputy president making a public show of loyalty to the party president.

Muhyiddin’s critics have sought to oust the party chief over concerns that the party would lose public support without fresh leadership.

The infighting had eased somewhat over the last few months. However, a tussle between Muhyiddin's camp and PAS over control of PN appeared to have reignited Bersatu's internal strife.

Over the past week, the pro-Muhyiddin camp has been stepping up pressure against Hamzah, including calls for him to be disciplined or removed.

Dinner at Muhyiddin’s

Amid the renewed tensions, Muhyiddin hosted a dinner for Bersatu elected and appointed representatives at his residence yesterday, framed as a pre-Ramadan social gathering.

A source contacted by Malaysiakini, as well as a New Straits Times report quoting Bersatu supreme council member Badrolhisham Shafie, placed the number of attendees at 70.

Bersatu has 23 MPs, 58 assemblypersons, and one senator.

Among the MPs and assemblypersons spotted in photos are Radzi Jidin (Putrajaya), Suhaimi Abdullah (Langkawi), Azmin Ali (Hulu Kelang), Dr Afif Bahardin (Taman Medan) and Hilman Idham (Gombak Setia).

Also present was Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah.

Emphasising that the gathering had nothing to do with removing Hamzah, a source close to Muhyiddin urged all parties not to read too much into it.

“Some may point to the supposedly low turnout among Bersatu’s elected representatives as evidence of waning support for Muhyiddin. That claim is simply untrue.

“Muhyiddin’s real strength lies with the party’s grassroots, as clearly demonstrated at the recent Bersatu annual general meeting,” the source added.

The source also said that many MPs were not present because they were overseas or attending to matters in their constituencies, but that many assemblypersons were there.

Reporting by Hariz Mohd, Alyaa Alhadjri, RK Anand

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