PETALING JAYA: Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin believes the party spared vice-president Ronald Kiandee from expulsion as the latter’s actions were less serious than those of former deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, who was sacked last month.
In a Sinar Harian report, Muhyiddin said although Kiandee was present at a meeting with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Bangkok, Thailand, Hamzah had allegedly led negotiations to form a new political configuration without approval from the party’s top leadership.
Bersatu suspended Kiandee and Wanita chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin today for violating the party’s constitution and code of conduct. Kiandee then took to Facebook to question why he was not expelled despite attending the meeting with Hamzah.
“Take Hamzah’s case (meeting Zahid) – that was clear. As I mentioned before, he went to negotiate without approval from the Supreme Council. He violated the constitution…,” he said during a press conference after the party’s Supreme Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
“But this is not my duty; this is the duty of the disciplinary board… which considers the weight of each case. The disciplinary board does not act arbitrarily. They assess complete reports and those involved are given the chance to defend themselves before a decision is made,” Muhyiddin said.
He accused Hamzah, who was sacked from the party on Feb 13, of engaging in secret negotiations with Zahid to form a new political configuration that would allow Hamzah to be appointed deputy prime minister while another leader held the top post.
Muhyiddin also accused Hamzah of being behind moves to destabilise and divide Bersatu, saying this was the main reason why the Larut MP was expelled.
Hamzah dismissed Muhyiddin’s claims that he betrayed the party by meeting with Zahid, saying he was free to meet anyone as the opposition leader.
Zahid confirmed that Hamzah was among the politicians he met in Bangkok last year, but insisted the meeting was held to discuss Malay and Muslim unity.
Nolee, Sanjeevan to head Bersatu wings
Separately, Nolee Ashilin Radzi has been appointed acting Wanita chief while R Sri Sanjeevan has been appointed acting associate wing chief. Both Nolee and Sanjeevan were previously the vice-chiefs.
Muhyiddin said the Supreme Council unanimously decided on their appointments at today’s meeting to ensure leadership continuity in both party wings.
Wanita chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin was suspended from Bersatu today while associate wing chief Dr Chong Fat Full resigned last month.
On Feb 14, Chong told FMT he was resigning as the wing’s chief following the expulsion of 17 party leaders, including Hamzah.
Chong also said many state and division leaders of the wing were expected to step down from their posts, “with a substantial member exodus seemingly imminent”.
