6-cornered fight for Bersatu’s 3 VP posts

Among the contenders are deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu and information chief Razali Idris.

(FMT) – There will be a six-cornered race for the three positions of Bersatu vice-president at the party polls next month.

Current vice-presidents, Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee and Putrajaya MP Radzi Jidin, will be defending their posts, while deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu will also be vying for a spot.

The remaining three are Selangor Bersatu deputy chief Rafiq Abdullah; Bersatu information chief Razali Idris; and Batu Kawan Bersatu chief Aziss Zainal Abiddin.

Wanita Bersatu deputy chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin meanwhile was named the wing’s new chief after she won the post unopposed.

Yesterday, FMT reported that Rina Harun had decided against defending her post as the chief of the women’s wing.

Separately, Gombak assemblyman Hilman Idham and Seputeh Bersatu chief Akmal Zahin Zainal Zahir will be involved in a straight fight for the Bersatu Youth chief’s post.

The party also announced that Muhyiddin Yassin and Hamzah Zainudin were named as president and deputy president respectively after winning the posts uncontested.

The announcement that Muhyiddin and Hamzah had won these posts, along with Faizal’s decision to contest for the vice-presidency, was expected after the Bersatu president had in July “leaked” the candidates’ list for the party polls.

Muhyiddin had said Faizal was “willing to leave his current post and give way to Hamzah in recognition of his contributions as Perikatan Nasional secretary-general and the opposition leader in Parliament”.

Muhyiddin had also said Azmin Ali would be offered the secretary-general’s post given his ability and political experience, although it was later reported that the latter had turned down the offer.

Today, Bersatu secretary Saiful Adli Arshad said the party election committee had received 80 nominations for a spot in the 20-seat Supreme Council.