KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin is poised to rank up to the position of deputy president in the upcoming party polls.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that discussions were recently held with the incumbent, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and several supreme council leaders.
"I have discussed this with Faizal and he is willing to step back and offer his position.
"Despite being one of the party founders, he is willing to take a step back and become the vice-president and make way for Hamzah to assume the role of deputy president.
"We acknowledge Hamzah's role as the secretary-general and as the opposition leader; all these factors were taken into consideration.
"I myself have no issue with Hamzah's promotion to deputy president and assisting me with the party," Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional chairman, told reporters after the closing of the Bersatu convention today.
Muhyiddin said that the party's Supreme Council had tasked him with ensuring the upcoming party polls are conducted orderly, ensuring Bersatu remains strong, free from unhealthy competition and continues to play a crucial role.
"They entrusted me to find the best way forward for the top positions and I started by engaging all senior leaders to gather their feedback, aspirations, and the positions they hope to hold," he said.
When asked if this could be seen as winning uncontested, Muhyiddin responded, "The 'race' has not yet begun. When nominations open, the committee involved will handle the process.
"Nominations will start in September, and everyone will have to register. Even though I have been endorsed to remain as the party's president, I too will submit my nomination.
"However, our decision has been finalised and agreed upon… there will be no other candidates."
Muhyiddin added that despite having formulated 'the new line-up', any party member can still choose to contest the positions.
"The party's constitution does not prohibit anyone from nominating themselves. If anyone wishes to contest, what can I say about it."
Earlier in his opening speech, Muhyiddin expressed confidence that the upcoming party polls would witness no conflicts over the party's top positions.
He said he had enggaged with nearly all Bersatu leaders to prevent internal conflicts and disunity.
On Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul's decision to allow the six Bersatu members of Parliament, whose memberships have ceased, to retain their seats, Muhyiddin said that the matter is under consideration and has been handed over to the lawyers.
"We have appointed lawyers to examine the matter. We need to study it from the constitutional perspective, including related to the anti party-hopping law and so on.
"We need to examine this thoroughly, including from a constitutional standpoint.
"We have a place to file complaints, which is the court. (And) in our view, the decision made by the speaker does not adhere to the Constitution. So, the available channel is only the court," he said.