Muhyiddin suggests Ronald's offence not on par with Hamzah's

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has hinted that former party vice-president Ronald Kiandee’s offence, which led to his suspension, was not on par with that of Hamzah Zainudin, which is why the party’s disciplinary board did not expel him.

Muhyiddin explained that although Ronald was with Hamzah during a meeting with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Bangkok, it was the former Bersatu deputy president who led the negotiations without the approval of the party’s top leadership.

However, Muhyiddin stressed that any decision taken was the prerogative of the disciplinary board based on reports and detailed investigations.

“This is not my job (to decide), this is the disciplinary board’s job. The board weighs the case. For example, Hamzah went (to meet Zahid), which is confirmed.

“I mentioned earlier that he (Hamzah) went to negotiate without the approval of the supreme council. He violated the party constitution and so on.

“He was the head. Ronald said he was there as well, but if I ask you between the two, which one (of the offence) is more serious?” Muhyiddin asked at a press conference after chairing the Bersatu supreme council meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Earlier, Ronald admitted that he was directly involved in several programmes with Hamzah and had also met Zahid in Bangkok last year.

The Beluran MP went on to question why he was not expelled despite being present in the meeting with Zahid.

“If that was indeed a serious offence, why was I not expelled?” he asked in a statement.

The former Sabah Bersatu chief also claimed that the disciplinary board is now a “tool” of leaders aligned with Muhyiddin and will act against the party’s interests to further an individual’s agenda.

Accompanying the statement was an image of a letter from the Bersatu disciplinary board.

The letter, signed by board chairperson Radzi Manan, stated that Ronald was suspended for two terms for violating Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution.

All party divisions intact

Muhyiddin also confirmed that no party divisions had been dissolved following Hamzah’s expulsion on Feb 13.

“There are no divisions that have been dissolved, and we need to clarify this because in the past few weeks, after the incident involving the expulsion of the deputy president, it was claimed that several divisions had declared themselves dissolved.

“According to the constitution, only the supreme council has the authority to dissolve a division, meaning there has been no dissolution,” he said.

READ MORE: Bersatu dismisses division dissolutions, insists all intact

The former prime minister added that the party is reorganising committees in the affected divisions.

Further, Muhyiddin announced that Nolee Ashilin Radzi has been appointed acting women’s wing chief, replacing Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, whose membership was also suspended.

R Sanjeevan will serve as acting head of the associate wing, replacing Dr Chong Fat Full, who has resigned.

Hamzah says 'no' to Umno, pledges to assist PN

Cracks in Bersatu, PN widen as Ronald expects the boot

Hamzah confirms talks to take over 'Parti Keluarga Malaysia'

Hamzah dealt with Zahid behind Bersatu's back, claims Muhyiddin