00:00Analysts view the sacking and suspension of Bersatu leaders aligned with Hamzah Zainuddin as an attempt by party President Muhyiddin Yassin to reduce his deputy's influence and fortify his leadership.
00:12Asmi Hassan, a fellow at the National Council of Professors, said they were aimed at ensuring that Hamzah would not have the clout to challenge Muhyiddin for the presidency.
00:22He was commenting on the sacking of Bersatu's Supreme Council member Saifuddin Abdullah for violating Clause 9.1.4 of the party's constitution, although the exact nature of the offence has not been specified.
00:35Last October, meanwhile, Bersatu sacked Tasik Gelugoh MP1 Saifu Wanjan and suspended Macang MP1 Ahmad Faizal Wan Ahmad Kamal for violating the party's constitution and code of conduct.
00:47Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri of Global Asia Consulting agreed with Asmi, saying the sackings gave the impression that Muhyiddin was dismantling the rival faction and consolidating power,
01:00adding that such a narrative would imply that Bersatu was divided and unstable, which could lead to a trust deficit among voters and its perikatan national allies.
01:10Shaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said,
01:14The party wanted to maintain discipline and unity by sacking these leaders, noting that Saifuddin was among those who had been vocal critics of the president and party, which made him a target for the disciplinary board.
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