SHAH ALAM – Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has conceded to making a “mistake” in the selection of candidates for the 15th general elections (GE15), leading to some of them betraying the party.
In his role as the party’s number two, Faizal holds sway in choosing Bersatu candidates to represent Perikatan Nasional (PN), including Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, who was formerly his political secretary.
Faizal – who is popularly known as Peja – revealed that Iskandar was not a prominent figure in the Bersatu leadership, including to party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, prior to his selection.
“I convinced the president that Iskandar could secure victory, and chose him based on trust. I endorsed him as a candidate, but unfortunately, he betrayed the party’s loyalty,” he lamented during his speech at Bersatu’s annual general assembly’s concluding session held here today.
On October 12, Iskandar became the first Bersatu MP to declare support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), and Zahari Kechik (Jeli) following suit.
Faizal clarified that the decision was made with the belief that it was the best strategy for the party to achieve victory.
“From the beginning, I fought to strengthen and develop this party. I will never betray my own party,” he said. – November 25, 2023