Hilman’s win may herald Azmin’s control of Bersatu Supreme Council, say analysts

Azmi Hassan says the real key to power lies in control of the council’s 20 seats.

(FMT) – Gombak Setia assemblyman Hilman Idham’s victory in the contest for the Bersatu Youth chief’s post may herald possible control of the party’s top echelons by Azmin Ali’s camp, says a political analyst.

National Professors Council fellow Azmi Hassan said although all eyes are generally on the contest for the vice-president’s posts, the real key to power lies in control of the 20 Supreme Council seats.

“These 20 seats set the party’s internal decisions and policies. Whichever camp has the most representatives in the Supreme Council will have the most influence,” Azmi told FMT ahead of the Bersatu polls on Nov 2.

On Tuesday, Hilman – known to be a staunch supporter of Azmin since their days in PKR – was elected as the new Bersatu Youth chief, taking over the post from Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

Azmi said Hilman’s victory may benefit former Selangor menteri besar Azmin’s camp, which is said to be in competition with those allied with secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin.

In July, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin was reportedly given the mandate by the Supreme Council to hold negotiations among party leaders to stave off any cracks in the leadership.

His formula will see him remain at the party’s helm, aided by Hamzah as deputy president, with Ronald Kiandee, Radzi Jidin and Ahmad Faizal Azumu slated to take the three vice-president’s posts.

The nominations confirmed early this month saw Muhyiddin and Hamzah take the top two spots unchallenged, while six candidates – Kiandee, Radzi, Faizal, Selangor Bersatu deputy chief Rafiq Abdullah, Bersatu information chief Razali Idris and Batu Kawan Bersatu chief Aziss Zainal Abiddin – are in the running for the three vice-president’s posts.

Azmin is expected to replace Hamzah as secretary-general, according to Muhyiddin’s formula.

Tawfik Yaakub from Universiti Malaya echoed Azmi in floating the possibility that pro-Azmin leaders may end up controlling much of the Supreme Council, and possibly one vice-president’s post.

“Azmin has been known as a cunning and strategic leader since his time in PKR,” he said.

Tawfik said, however, the plan to appoint Azmin as secretary-general may face opposition, as he is not one of the party’s founding leaders.

“There is a strong possibility that the party’s founding leaders are working to block Azmin’s future in the party,” he said.