Bersatu Leaders Deny Plot To Silence Criticism Of Muhyiddin

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Selangor Bersatu deputy chief Rafiq Abdullah says checks with party leaders in his state as well as Melaka, Terengganu, and Kedah reveal no such directive.
Selangor Bersatu deputy chief Rafiq Abdullah said party president Muhyiddin Yassin is still needed as the party’s poster boy heading into GE16.PETALING JAYA: A Bersatu leader claims that attempts are being made to tarnish the party’s image following rumours of a ban on motions meant to “attack” its president Muhyiddin Yassin at next month’s annual general assembly
Selangor Bersatu deputy chief Rafiq Abdullah said checks with party leaders in Selangor, Melaka, Terengganu, and Kedah revealed no such directive, contrary to claims in a screenshot of a WhatsApp message that had gone viral on social media.
The screenshot, shared by Port Dickson Bersatu chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, alleged that division leaders who defied the directive were “threatened” with being barred from contesting elections.
Authority to sign the endorsement letters of candidates lies with Muhyiddin.
“This (viral message) is clearly fabricated. I checked with division chiefs who confirmed that they never received such instructions.
“These allegations are baseless and likely driven by the personal interests of certain individuals,” Rafiq told FMT, adding that Muhyiddin was still needed as the party’s poster boy heading into the 16th general election.
Jasin Bersatu chief Dr Yadzil Yaakub, the opposition leader in the Melaka state assembly, agreed that he had never received such a “threat”.
“I’m not sure about this matter, but I certainly haven’t received any warning – perhaps it just hasn’t reached me,” he said.
FMT has reached out to Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz for comment.
Badrul, meanwhile, criticised the spread of the message, saying it had damaged Muhyiddin’s image and risked angering the grassroots leaders.
He said those responsible should not hide behind the pretext of “defending the president’s institution”, as was done by groups in Umno to support their party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He added that Bersatu members and leaders should stand united with Muhyiddin in challenging the government, while embracing and supporting the president’s initiatives to consolidate the opposition. - FMT

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