Muhyiddin didn’t order no-contest for VP posts, says Bersatu man

Selangor Bersatu deputy chief Rafiq Abdullah says there was no discussion by party’s Supreme Council on the three vice-presidents’ posts.

(FMT) – A Bersatu leader tonight denied that president Muhyiddin Yassin had ordered members not to contest for the three vice-president’s posts at the party polls next month.

Selangor Bersatu deputy chief Rafiq Abdullah said Muhyiddin never made such a suggestion.

Rafiq, who is one of the six candidates vying for the vice-presidency, said the Bersatu Supreme Council members had only talked about posts for their current deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, and Azmin Ali.

“At a Bersatu convention in Selayang in July, the president only said he had no issue working with current vice-presidents Ronald Kiandee and Radzi Jidin.

“Muhyiddin also said he was protecting Peja,”

Rafiq told FMT, referring to Faizal’s moniker.

Earlier today, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal questioned the action of several Supreme Council members for allegedly disregarding Muhyiddin’s directive for the upcoming party elections.

Wan Fayhsal said the decision by some leaders to contest for the three vice-presidents’ posts went against the collective decision made during the party’s assembly.

While declining to name those involved, he said all members had agreed to grant Muhyiddin the mandate, which included a proposal that the top five positions should not be contested.

In July, Muhyiddin was reported to have said that he had been given a mandate by the Supreme Council to negotiate with the leadership to ensure the party elections did not cause divisions.

Muhyiddin’s “formula” entailed himself being at the helm of Bersatu, with Hamzah as his new deputy, and Kiandee, Radzi and Faizal proposed to fill the three vice-presidents’ posts.

After nominations were finalised last week, both Muhyiddin and Hamzah won uncontested, while six candidates were named to contest the three vice-presidents’ posts – Kiandee, Radzi, Faizal, Bersatu information chief Razali Idris, Rafiq and Batu Kawan Bersatu chief Aziss Zainal Abiddin.

Wan Fayhsal also suggested that the candidates, who were not part of Muhyiddin’s plan, drop out of the race to demonstrate their commitment to his “formula”.

However, Rafiq, who is also the Kuang assemblyman, said he would not withdraw from the race.

“I will leave it to the delegates to decide and when they do, I will respect their decision and work as a team.

“Challenging someone for a post does not mean there are schisms in the party. We’re competing as a family, not smearing anyone’s image.”

Last Sunday, Rafiq dismissed claims he was challenging party directives by contesting for a vice-president’s position at the party polls, saying he threw his hat in the ring to uphold democracy in the party and because he met the requirement.

He had also defended his decision to contest by stating that Muhyiddin had only suggested a formula and did not issue a directive that there should be no contest for the top five positions, including that of vice-president.