Bersatu Youth leader raises concern over alleged election interference

Assistant secretary Faiz Rahmad questions if ‘outside influences’ may have affected the results.

(FMT) – A Bersatu Youth leader has questioned if there was interference in the wing’s recent elections, calling for a full review after claims of irregularities.

In a statement today, Bersatu Youth assistant secretary Faiz Rahmad asked if “outside influences” from people with personal agendas might have affected the results, raising concern over the election committee’s “unusual” decision to allow objections before the results were announced.

“How could anyone have objected without knowing the vote count or winners?” he asked, adding this had raised doubts on the election’s fairness and process.

Faiz said among the issues was the sudden disqualification of the Beaufort division. The division was initially approved to take part in the polls but was later barred from voting without any reason given and despite ballots given to delegates.

He also pointed to a jump in the number of delegates in the Kalabakan division, from 50 to more than 180 without prior notice.

Faiz said the Bersatu Youth leadership is seeking answers from the election committee, as their members have the right to full transparency and accountability.

He said party leaders must ensure no outside influences had affected the results, and Bersatu must stick to its principles of fairness and honesty.

Earlier today, the party’s election committee announced that Gombak Setia assemblyman Hilman Idham was elected as the new Bersatu Youth chief.

According to Bersatu’s election committee chairman Abdul Azim Zabidi, who spoke at a press conference held at the party’s headquarters this evening, Hilman received a total of 1,888 votes to beat Bersatu Youth’s permanent chairman Akmal Zahin Zainal Zahir, who garnered 1,718 votes.

On Sunday, it was reported that Akmal had unofficially won the Bersatu Youth chief position, defeating Hilman.

The wing’s vote counting centre had at the time revealed that Akmal garnered 2,432 votes, 76 votes more than Hilman’s 2,356.