THERE must be change in the party’s top leadership in anticipation of the next general election (GE16) to fill a “void” in the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led party, said a Bersatu leader.
In an FMT report, Bersatu Supreme Council member Datuk Eddin Syazlee Shith was quoted as saying that such a change must be done in an orderly manner to fill the “void” in the party’s leadership.
While the former Kuala Pilah MP did not specifically name the leaders that he felt should step down or elaborate on the specific areas in his party that he found lacking, he did, however, cite the recent decision of the four Bersatu lawmakers to declare support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.
The four Bersatu MPs in question are Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Labuan MP Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman, Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, and Jeli MP Zahari Kechik.
According to Eddin, party heavyweights such as opposition leader and Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin were capable of shouldering heavier responsibilities.
“I see that many leaders in Bersatu like our secretary-general (Hamzah) may be capable of making improvements to the party,” he told the news portal.
“But there has to be order if we want to initiate change. It doesn’t strictly mean that the secretary-general should replace the president (Muhyiddin), but there must be some sort of formula.”
It was previously reported that party sources said Hamzah, who is also the Larut MP, is expected to be one of the main contenders for the top post in Bersatu should Muhyiddin choose not to defend his position as party president.
Bersatu must hold its party election in 2024 after postponing it earlier this year in view of the six state elections in August.
Eddin further pointed out that party leaders should be magnanimous and relinquish their positions if they were no longer capable of bearing the responsibility of helming the party.
“If we only think about ourselves … we will fail to see our weaknesses but it will be on display for everyone around us to see. We have to accept that reality,” he pointed out, adding that the top leadership must use the party’s general assembly next week to heed the voices of the grassroots. – Nov 16, 2023
Main pic credit: Berita Harian
