00:00Cracks are deepening in Versadu as two rival factions are pushing for different leaders
00:06to lead the party into the 16th general election, raising concerns about internal stability.
00:13Insiders say the rift started in July last year, when party president Muhyiddin Yassin
00:18outlined a succession plan that would see Hamza Sayyeduddin appointed as his deputy
00:22and Azmin Ali as secretary-general.
00:25A party insider told FMT that despite the succession plan being clear, Azmin's camp
00:30believes only Muhyiddin can lead Versadu into GE16, while Hamza's supporters insist on
00:36honouring the transition plan.
00:38Hamza's camp is also questioning how voters can trust Versadu to govern the country if
00:43the party fails to follow through on its own leadership structure, the insider said.
00:48Another source said tensions within Versadu surfaced in December 2023 amid speculation
00:53that Hamza was at risk of being sacked due to issues arising within the leadership circle.
00:59He said this prompted Versadu leaders to organise a retreat, where it was agreed that Muhyiddin
01:04would have the final say on all leadership decisions and that he would hand over the
01:08reins to Hamza once the time came.
01:11He said Azmin accepted the position of secretary-general following the retreat.
01:16The source also said Azmin's camp believes that Muhyiddin's leadership will prevent internal
01:21collapse, while Hamza's camp believes the succession plan is important to maintain party
01:26integrity and credibility heading into GE16.
01:30Natasha Biest, FMT News.
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