Dr M Muhyiddin S Move To Axe Marzuki Invalid

---

Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was not consulted on the termination of Marzuki Yahya as the party secretary-general
Therefore, he dismissed the move as invalid
Mahathir said the party constitution stipulated that the chairperson must be consulted with regard to the appointment or removal of the secretary-general. Party president Muhyiddin Yassin had written to Marzuki on March 18 to inform the latter of his termination. No reasons were cited
In a letter to Muhyiddin today, Mahathir cited Articles 13.9 and 16.3.3 of the party constitution stating that although the president had the power to appoint the secretary-general, treasurer-general and information chief, the chairperson must be consulted
"The meaning and application of the word 'berunding' (discuss) in this context does not mean that the president (only has) to inform the chairperson
"It must be a thorough discussion between the party president and chairperson on the matter of appointing these officials," wrote Mahathir in the letter
He said although the party constitution did not state the mechanisms for dismissals clearly, he argued that the same consultations with the chairperson must apply
"In Marzuki's dismissal as secretary-general by Muhyiddin, there was no discussion whatsoever with me as the party chairperson. This clearly violates Bersatu's constitution
"I hereby state that the Marzuki's dismissal is null and void and shall be set aside," wrote Mahathir
According to Mahathir's letter, Muhyiddin had proposed Hamzah Zainuddin as the new secretary-general
The secretary-general is a key party position in charge of administration. The secretary-general also plays an important role in the upcoming party AGM and internal leadership elections, which must take place this year. It was reported that Marzuki (above) yesterday received a letter dated March 18 from Muhyiddin, saying that his service as the party secretary-general has been terminated with immediate effect
Muhyiddin also cited Article 13.9 of the Bersatu constitution in dismissing Marzuki, but did not provide any explanation or reason behind the action
Mahathir and Muhyiddin went separate ways albeit remaining in the same party after the latter played a pivotal role in the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan federal government
Muhyiddin had led a group of Bersatu MPs out of the coalition and later formed a new coalition government with Umno, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and several other smaller parties
These parties later agreed to support Muhyiddin as prime minister. He was sworn-in on March 1
Mahathir commands the loyalty of a small number of Bersatu MPs and is opposed to Muhyiddin's premiership
Marzuki, who is a senator appointed during Mahathir's term as the seventh premier, is a staunch Mahathir loyalist. - Mkini

---