The Malaysian Insight

BERSATU has dissolved its Negri Sembilan chapter mere weeks before PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim contests the Port Dickson by-election.

President Muhyiddin Yassin said the decision was taken because the state leadership was plagued with problems.

“We have dissolved Negri Sembilan Bersatu. The reason being, there were a lot of problems,” he told a press conference today.

“Negri Sembilan’s problems were outstanding… They made reports and held press conferences to discredit others in the party. A lot of other reports. A lot of things happening in the division.”

The home minister said this is a temporary state of affairs, and a revamped state leadership will be headed by former minister Rais Yatim, previously of Umno.

“We will dissolve and reconstitute. We will elect a new state leadership. This will take a bit of time. It is not a complete dissolution.”

The Pagoh MP said this was done upon seeking advice from the Registrar of Societies (RoS).

On Anwar’s campaign for the October 13 polls, Muhyiddin said Bersatu will mobilise leaders and members at the federal level.

“It (dissolution of the Negri Sembilan chapter) will not affect the campaign. The federal-level Bersatu will campaign (for Anwar).”

The Port Dickson by-election is part of Anwar’s Parliament comeback bid, paving the way for him to take over as prime minister from Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Nomination has been set for Saturday.

Meanwhile, Bersatu also announced several housekeeping measures including the dissolution of the Ampang and Subang divisions.

Muhyiddin also announced Marzuki Yahya has been elected to be secretary-general replacing Shahruddin Md Salleh.

Deputy Economic Affairs Minister Radzi Jidin has also been appointed as the new information chief. – September 27, 2018.