PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s party elections next month are expected to be a proxy war between Hamzah Zainudin and Azmin Ali, with both leaders vying to expand their influence within the party.
A Bersatu insider revealed that the two leaders, originally from Umno and PKR, were aiming to place their proxies or right-hand men in key positions across the party, including the Supreme Council and the ancillary wings.
The fiercest contest between the two factions is seen in the race for the Supreme Council, with 80 candidates competing for the 20 seats available.
“For the youth wing, 45 candidates are vying for 15 seats. A third force is emerging but is unlikely to have a strong impact.
“For Wanita Bersatu, it was initially a contest between Rina Harun, who is aligned with Azmin, and Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, from Hamzah’s camp.
However, Rina withdrew her candidacy, and it now appears that no one from Azmin’s camp is competing for the top spot in the women’s wing, he said.
The source believed that Azmin’s camp was shifting its focus to gaining influence in the youth wing instead.
Azmin’s camp has placed Gombak Setia assemblyman Hilman Idham (to contest for the Bersatu Youth chief’s post), whereas the candidate from Hamzah’s camp is Bersatu Youth permanent chairman Akmal Zahin Zainal Zahir.
The results of the party polls will determine who controls the decision-making power in Bersatu, especially in the Supreme Council, he said.
Last Friday, it was confirmed that Muhyiddin Yassin will retain the Bersatu presidency uncontested in the party elections in November.
Hamzah, the current secretary-general, faces no contest for the deputy president’s post. He will replace Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is vying for one of the three vice-president slots instead.
Faizal faces competition from incumbents Radzi Jidin and Ronald Kiandee, as well as Bersatu information chief Razali Idris, Kuang assemblyman Rafiq Abdullah, and Batu Kawan Bersatu chief Aziss Zainal Abiddin.
Azmin is sitting out this election, with speculation rife that he is set to take over from Hamzah as the new secretary-general.
