KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has been appointed as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) new secretary-general, according to a report.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed this to Sinar Harian yesterday, adding that the appointment would be formally announced soon.
"It's final, I had mentioned this earlier but perhaps at the time, many might have wondered whether it was true or not.
"But I would like to reiterate that it is indeed confirmed, and I have agreed to appoint Azmin as Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general," he was quoted as saying.
Azmin, who is also Bersatu Selangor chairman and Hulu Kelang state assemblyman, had previously rejected the offer and said he wanted to focus on Selangor PN to recapture Selangor in the next elections.
Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin in a recent interview with Sinar Harian had said the offer to Azmin had considered all aspects including whether he was qualified for the position.
Muhyiddin said he had met and discussed the appointment with Azmin on the party's direction, and expressed confidence that the former Selangor Menteri Besar would strengthen Bersatu and PN.
"I've met with him and discussed heart to heart, we talked about what should be done and alhamdulillah (praise be to God), he willingly agreed. There are no more issues.
"We want to make Bersatu a model party in terms of management, administration, free from corruption and work diligently.
"But maybe we will announce (the appointment) after the general assembly or during the assembly," he told the Malay daily, adding that he also made several other appointments including the party's information chief, treasurer, and others.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said no PN leader had been given the mandate to negotiate with Barisan Nasional (BN) to form a new unity government.
He also denied claims that PN had anything to do with the statement made by BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, that there had been attempts to lure BN from the current government.
"I have only just heard about (the claims), I would also like to know who the person (involved) is.
"As PN chairman and Bersatu president myself, I have never made such attempts. But I don't know about others, whether from inside or outside the party, I don't know the real thing. That's all I can say," he said.
On Sunday, Zahid revealed that there were attempts to persuade BN to withdraw from the unity government and form a new one, with an offer of the prime minister's position in exchange.
However, the Umno president and deputy prime minister did not reveal who made those attempts.