KUALA LUMPUR – Tensions within Bersatu Negri Sembilan division have emerged on nomination day for the upcoming 2023 state elections, with party members expressing dissatisfaction with Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s candidate selection decisions.
According to an insider within the party, the discontent started after Faizal announced the candidates on Thursday.
It is understood that Negri Sembilan Bersatu members are particularly unhappy with the fielding of former Negeri Sembilan Bersatu chief Datuk Eddin Syazlee Shith, who will be contesting in Juasseh against Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid of Barisan Nasional (BN).
Eddin had previously lost the Kuala Pilah parliamentary seat in the last general election.
The insider said that the decision to field Eddin for a state seat this time has raised concerns among party members, as they question the selection of a candidate who has already faced electoral defeat recently.
It is learned that another state seat in crisis for Perikatan Nasional is Chembong, where Faizal has chosen to field the 72-year-old Bakly Baba, who is viewed as an outsider.
“This decision has not been well-received by the people of Negri Sembilan, with concerns that the local votes may swing in favour of the BN candidate.
“Adding to the chaos is the circulation of a viral WhatsApp message allegedly from Bakly Baba, where he shares his bank account details and requests funds from party members to support his election campaign.
This development has further disturbed party insiders, who describe the situation as being in shambles,” the insider added.
Additionally, certain party members have expressed their unhappiness and disappointment through WhatsApp messages and recordings, which have also gone viral in the past 24 hours.
In one such message, a party member questioned Faizal’s credibility as the Bersatu deputy president, suggesting that he should step down.
The sender also highlighted Faizal’s failures, including his loss in Tambun to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 15th general election and his inability to maintain his position as Perak menteri besar.
As nomination day progresses, these tensions within Negri Sembilan Bersatu only serve to highlight the internal challenges faced by the Umno splinter party and add a layer of complexity to the upcoming state elections. – July 28, 2023