Bersatu Division Chief Warns Against Blind Loyalty to Leadership
PETALING JAYA: A senior figure in the Bersatu party has called on the party's top leadership to avoid blind loyalty and instead focus on genuine engagement with the grassroots. This comes as a warning that failing to do so could lead to repeating the mistakes of Umno during the tenure of former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Badrul Hisham Shaharin, the chief of Bersatu Port Dickson, commonly known as Chegubard, emphasized the need to stop the culture of flattery and "bootlicking" within the party. He argued that senior leaders should directly interact with the grassroots to understand their concerns and address real issues rather than holding closed-door meetings that only serve to praise the leadership.
"The top leadership must go to the ground, listen to the people’s pulse, and champion real issues – not just hold closed-door events to praise the leadership," he stated in a public statement.
Chegubard warned that Bersatu must not fall into the same trap as Umno did under Najib, where a culture of flattery thrived through chants like 'Hidup presiden' (Long live the president). He pointed out that similar behavior is now being seen in Bersatu, where individuals around the president use his name in ways that make the leadership appear weak.
He stressed that the party must return to its original mission of defending the people's interests, upholding party integrity, and rejecting actions that prioritize individual positions over the collective good. Additionally, he criticized the central and state leadership for failing to address pressing public issues, particularly in Negeri Sembilan.
Key Issues in Negeri Sembilan
Badrul highlighted several critical issues in Negeri Sembilan, including rising water tariffs, the distribution of state projects, the arrest of a menteri besar's son, and alleged misconduct in state-linked companies. He accused some state and wing leaders of acting without the division's knowledge and using the party president's name to justify their actions.
"We also condemn acts of sabotage by several state and wing leaders who acted without the division’s knowledge and used the party president’s name to justify their actions," he said.
This statement comes amid growing internal discord within Bersatu. During the party's general assembly last month, party president Muhyiddin Yassin revealed that certain factions were collecting signatures to oust him, prompting some delegates to call for his resignation.
The turmoil led to the sacking of Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan and the suspension of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal. Wan Saiful had accused several individuals close to Muhyiddin of straining ties among the leadership, specifically targeting Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali and information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz.
Recently, Bersatu Supreme Council member and Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah joined calls for Muhyiddin to step down, which resulted in his removal as Pahang Perikatan Nasional chief.
Calls for Change and Accountability
Chegubard's comments reflect a broader sentiment within the party that there is a need for accountability and transparency. The current situation highlights the challenges faced by Bersatu in maintaining unity and focusing on the interests of the people rather than internal power struggles.
As the party continues to navigate these internal conflicts, the call for a return to core values and genuine engagement with the grassroots becomes increasingly important. The leadership must ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the party and its members, rather than being driven by personal ambitions or blind loyalty.
The path forward for Bersatu will depend on its ability to address these issues and restore trust among its members and the public. Only then can the party move forward and fulfill its mission of serving the people effectively.