Dr Mahathir Mohamad has declared Muhyuddin Yassin’s decision to sack Bersatu’s secretary-general, Marzuki Yahya, as invalid as it did not follow the party’s constitution.
Dr Mahathir said he was not consulted as party chairman on Marzuki’s removal.
In a letter to the party president, the Langkawi MP said he should have been consulted as provided in the party’s constitution.
The former prime minister said Articles 13.9 and 16.3.3 of Bersatu’s constitution empowers the party’s president, Muhyiddin, to remove the secretary-general but only after consultation with the chairman.
“The meaning and application of the word ‘berunding’ (discuss) in this context does not mean that the president (only has) to inform the chairman.
“It must be a thorough discussion between the party president and chairman on the matter of appointing these officials,” Dr Mahathir said to Muhyiddin, who is prime minister
Earlier today, Marzuki confirmed that he has been sacked as Bersatu secretary-general.
He told The Malaysian Insight the termination letter, signed by Muhyiddin, was delivered to him yesterday.
“Yes, I received the letter yesterday,” he said.
A copy of the letter, dated March 18, 2020, has since gone viral.
The letter did not provide a reason for the sacking, but stated that it was in accordance with the party constitution.
In his letter, Dr Mahathir had said Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin, a key player in the move to install the Bersatu president as prime minister, had been proposed as Marzuki’s replacement.
Dr Mahathir said as Marzuki’s removal did not adhere to the party’s constitution, it will be set aside.
“I hereby state that Marzuki’s dismissal is null and void and shall be set aside,” Dr Mahathir wrote in the letter to the Pagoh MP.
Bersatu is now in the midst of a party election and the removal of Marzuki, a staunch Dr Mahathir ally, is seen as being linked to it.
Muhyddin will face challenges from Dr Mahathir’s son, Mukhriz and another party member for the Bersatu presidency.
Mukhriz is the incumbent Bersatu deputy president, while the third person in the contest for the post is Mohd Faiz Azlee Sham.
There will also be a three-cornered fight for the deputy president’s post between outgoing secretary-general Marzuki Yahya, Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Anas Akashah Nazri.
Dr Mahathir was returned unopposed today as the party chairman. – TMI