The Malaysian Insight

THREE senior posts in Bersatu will be hotly contested in the party polls to kick off at the end of next month.

These will be Bersatu’s first elections since it was formed in September 2016, and their outcome will influence the party’s direction going into the 15th general election.

The available posts are the three slots for vice-presidents, as well as the top posts in the Youth and Women’s wings.

The Malaysian Insight has learnt that there will be no contest for the top three positions of chairman, president and deputy president, which are held by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir, respectively.

Two of the vice-presidents’ posts to be contested are held by Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman and Abdul Rashid Ashari. One is vacant after Hamidah Osman left the party.

So far, three people, namely Mohd Redzuan Yusoff, Dr Maszlee Malik and Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen, are said to have their eye on one of the posts.

Redzuan is entrepreneur minister, while Maszlee holds the education portfolio. Rafiq is a Malacca exco.

In August, Redzuan and Rafiq indicated their interest in contesting. The two, as well as Maszlee, are in the party’s supreme council.

However, Redzuan and Rafiq could find it difficult because delegates may not pick two vice-presidents from the same state.

Campaigning has yet to start because many members and leaders are on holiday, said a Bersatu source.

“Things will heat up after the New Year for sure. Most of those touted for top posts are currently on leave.”

Battle to head wings

Elections for supreme council and top posts will take place at the annual general assembly on June 20.

Before that, the party will hold elections at all its branches from January 25 to March 1. Division polls will be held on April 4.

A source said Youth wing – official name Armada – chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who is also youth and sports minister, will likely be challenged.

The source refused to reveal who Syed Saddiq’s challengers are, for fear they could be sabotaged in the branch elections.

“There are many who want to challenge Syed Saddiq, but only a few are strong enough. Challengers should go in to win and not just try.

“For now, we want to focus on branch elections as we are afraid anything can happen.”

Srikandi, the Women’s wing, will also see its head, Rina Harun, facing off with a challenger.

The contender, from a northern state, confirmed her intentions to The Malaysian Insight, but asked that her name not be revealed until after the branch elections.

“We will announce after the branch elections are over.” – December 28, 2019.