KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu is not experiencing a split despite speculation following recent internal developments within the party.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said claims that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) was breaking apart were unfounded.
He said the perception had arisen due to several internal developments in recent months, but swift action had already been taken to address the issues.
“I want to stress that it is not accurate for anyone to predict that Bersatu has split or changed. Far from it.
“I have read opinions from certain parties making such assumptions simply because they heard about certain developments within Bersatu, when in fact steps have already been taken to resolve the problems that arose.
“Alhamdulillah, the actions we took were not only against those who committed political offences within the party, but we also implemented improvement measures within Bersatu itself,” he said.
Muhyiddin made the remarks while delivering his speech at the Bersatu president’s iftar event with media practitioners at Saloma Kuala Lumpur in Jalan Ampang on Wednesday.
Also present were Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Previously, the party’s disciplinary board had expelled Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin for actions allegedly breaching Clause 9.1.4 of the party constitution.
Following Hamzah, 16 other party leaders were also expelled, including Machang member of parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, Padang Rengas member of parliament Kapten Azahari Hasan and Gerik member of parliament Fathul Huzir Ayob.
On Tuesday, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee and Bersatu Srikandi chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin were reported to have had their party membership rights suspended under Clause 22.5 for two election terms.
Muhyiddin also commented on the formation of Ikatan Perpaduan Rakyat (IPR), which is a loose coalition involving several local political parties.
He said the alliance had the potential to evolve into a stronger political bloc in the future if the existing cooperation could be further strengthened.
“The important question that arises is the role of IPR when we face elections. This matter has been discussed in our meetings.
“Although it is considered a loose coalition, we have agreed to establish a joint secretariat so that the secretary-generals of the parties involved can sit together and plan programmes to strengthen the position of IPR.
“If this can be implemented, it is not impossible that a larger political coalition could be formed, possibly even bigger than Barisan Nasional in the past,” he said.