Friction With Hilman Shows Spat In Bersatu Far From Over Says Analyst

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Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham said the party’s constitution stipulates that it would champion national causes.
PETALING JAYA: The friction between Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham and several party leaders is proof that the spat between certain factions in the party is far from over, says an analyst.
International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) Lau Zhe Wei said the recent tiff over the foundations of the party’s establishment was just “an issue of narrative”, but pointed out that no one had come to Hilman’s defence so far.
“Why hasn’t any Bersatu leader defended Hilman? It is because this is a spat between the different camps in the party,” he told FMT.
Hilman, the Gombak Setia assemblyman, was elected Bersatu Youth chief last October with a slim majority of 170 votes.
He drew brickbats from his party colleagues several days ago for saying that Bersatu did not only champion Malay rights, as the party’s constitution calls for members to champion the welfare of Malaysians, irrespective of race or religion.
In response, Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal advised Hilman to read up on the party’s founding principles, maintaining that Bersatu was a party for the Malays and Bumiputera.
The Machang MP said Hilman needed to be fully attuned to Bersatu’s ideals. Another Bersatu Supreme Council member, Affan Jumahat, reminded Hilman to be more careful when airing his views in public.
Hilman had defended his statement, arguing that Bersatu’s constitution clearly stipulates that it would champion national causes.
Syaza Shukri, also of IIUM, said Hilman’s statement should not have become a major issue, especially since Bersatu claimed it was preparing for a possible snap general election by the end of the year.
“It’s just political squabble,” she said, adding that this latest tiff would cause Bersatu rank and file to question if the party really was prepared for a snap general election.
Earlier this month, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had ordered party members to prepare for a nationwide election by the end of the year, implying that the Anwar Ibrahim administration, which only ends in late 2027, may not last its full term. - FMT

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