Azmin turned down Bersatu sec-gen offer, sources say

The Selangor Bersatu chief reportedly told division leaders that he wants to focus on wresting the state from Pakatan Harapan at the next election.

(FMT) – Selangor Bersatu chief Azmin Ali is believed to have rebuffed the proposal by party president Muhyiddin Yassin on Saturday for him to be made the secretary-general.

According to sources who asked to remain anonymous, Azmin, the state’s opposition leader, told several division leaders that he would turn down the offer.

“Azmin rejected the post as a matter of principle and said he wanted to focus on Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) goal of wresting Selangor (from Pakatan Harapan) in the next general election.

“But there had been rumours that Azmin was not keen on a ‘downgrade’,” one of the sources said, referring to Azmin’s previous post as deputy president of PKR.

On July 13, Muhyiddin said Azmin would be offered the post of secretary-general, given his ability and political experience.

He said the current secretary-general, Hamzah Zainudin, would be given the deputy president’s post in recognition of his contributions as PN secretary-general and opposition leader in Parliament.

Ahmad Faizal Azumu, meanwhile, would step down as deputy president and run for one of the three vice-president’s posts instead.

Last night, Sinar Harian reported Azmin as saying he wanted to meet Muhyiddin about the offer. He also said that the former prime minister was aware of his stance.

FMT has contacted Azmin for comment.

It was previously speculated that the battle for Bersatu’s deputy presidency would see a straight fight between Hamzah and Faizal, while it was understood that Azmin was only seeking a spot on the party’s Supreme Council.