Bersatu replaces sec-gen but will Muhyiddin’s position be strengthened?

Zainal Epi, Malay Mail Online

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin seems to be cleaning up in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

He appointed Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin as party secretary-general replacing Datuk Marzuki Yahya who was removed on Wednesday.

Marzuki’s termination letter has been circulating in WhatsApp groups. It was signed by Muhyiddin as the party president with no reason was stated.

The two-paragraph letter said the termination was done in accordance to clause 13.9 of the party’s constitution. It thanked him for his contributions and service during his tenure as the secretary-general.

It is understood that Hamzah, who is the home minister, received his appointment letter the same day.

Bersatu is currently split in two with chairman and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad leading one faction and Muhyiddin commanding another.

The split came about when the when Dr Mahathir quit as the chairman in disagreement over the party’s decision to quit Pakatan Harapan. This also prompted Dr Mahathir to step down as prime minister.

This resulted in the collapsed of PH government.

Muhyiddin was appointed as the PM by the Yang diPerutan Agong who personally met with all MPs and heads of political parties from both sides of the political divide.

Dr Mahathir’s resignation was rejected by the party leadership. Marzuki made this announcement on February 25.

With the ongoing party election, Dr Mahathir retained his chairman’s post uncontested while Muhyiddin is defending the presidency against Dr Mahathir’s son, Datuk Seri Muhkriz Mahathir.

Muhyiddin is not expected to face many problems defending his presidency but he is not going to have a smooth ride so long as Dr Mahathir remains party chairman, given that the party’s constitution gives broad powers to the chairman in appointing key personnel to the party leadership line-up.

Dr Mahathir made Marzuki Bersatu’s secretary-general and a senator.

The current political scenario is Bersatu is considered rough as members scramble for positions. They see the party being strong in the present ruling government partnering Umno and PAS, the two largest Malay parties in the country.

Amidst fighting Covid-19, Muhyiddin is also riding roughly in the party. The scramble for positions will see whether he will stand on solid ground after party elections or if he has again to play second fiddle to Dr Mahathir.