Bersatu Supreme Council member Saifuddin Abdullah is confident that the party is prepared for the 16th general election (GE16), thanks to a stronger leadership lineup formed after its polls last November.
In an interview with FMT, Saifuddin said the party polls brought in several capable leaders who complemented the leadership of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and his deputy Hamzah Zainudin.
He said the three vice-presidents – Putrajaya MP Radzi Jidin, Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee, and former Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu – along with secretary-general Azmin Ali completed the leadership lineup with their extensive experience.
“To me, this lineup is well-placed. This foundation is critical, especially for the youth who want to see and ensure the party’s longevity,” Saifuddin said.
Muhyiddin and Hamzah were elected to the top two posts unopposed during the party elections, while Radzi, Kiandee, and Faizal defeated three other contenders for the posts of vice-president.
Faizal, also known as Peja, had opted not to defend the deputy presidency to make way for Hamzah.
Azmin, who joined Bersatu in 2020, was appointed secretary-general, replacing Hamzah. The former Selangor menteri besar and PKR deputy president did not contest the party’s recent elections.
Saifuddin, the Indera Mahkota MP, said young leaders were being empowered, citing Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal’s promotion from Bersatu Youth chief to the Supreme Council.
He said the party’s wings were also being led by fresh faces, including Gombak Setia assemblyman Hilman Idham, who replaced Wan Fayhsal as youth chief, Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati as the Wanita Bersatu chief, and Nurul Ezzati Azmi, who now leads Srikandi Muda.
“Looking at Bersatu’s current leadership, we are ready to face GE16,” Saifuddin added.
He also pointed to coalition partner PAS, which is pushing forward figures such as its vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the Terengganu menteri besar.
“They want to position Samsuri for a bigger role at the federal level,” he said.
Bersatu secured 31 parliamentary seats in the 2022 general election, but the number dropped to 25 after six MPs declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
The six MPs are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
