Bersatu vice-president Ahmad Faizal Azumu has denied making critical remarks about PAS or suggesting that his party exit Perikatan Nasional (PN), claiming a viral WhatsApp screenshot is fake.
Alleged Messages Called Fabricated
Known as Peja, Ahmad Faizal said the screenshot circulating in WhatsApp groups of Bersatu leaders was fabricated by former party members who were recently sacked or had left Bersatu.
“This was done by former Bersatu members who are trying to create more disorder in Bersatu, and who want Bersatu and PAS’s relationship to sour so that PN would be crippled,” he told FMT.
He pointed out that the profile picture in the alleged screenshot does not belong to him.
The viral image reportedly showed Ahmad Faizal accusing a PN component, believed to be PAS, of disrespecting Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and proposing that Bersatu leave the coalition.
Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz was said to have suggested it would be better for PAS to exit PN, given its apparent interest in reviving the Muafakat Nasional pact with Umno.
Bersatu Supreme Council member Jasri Jamaludin allegedly supported Ahmad Faizal and urged Muhyiddin to rethink his decision to step down as PN chairman.
Denials from Involved Leaders
When contacted, Jasri confirmed the screenshot was false and said it did not warrant any response. FMT has also sought comment from Tun Faisal.
Separately, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said his party will first verify the authenticity of the alleged messages before deciding on any further steps.
“All organisations have private WhatsApp groups where they hold their internal discussions. Revealing such closed discussions is inappropriate,” he told FMT.
“However, concerning the WhatsApp conversation involving certain parties apparently insulting PAS, we will first evaluate its authenticity before taking any further action.”
PN Meeting Amid Bersatu Turmoil
The PN Supreme Council is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting tomorrow to confirm Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as coalition chairman and to appoint his successor.
This development comes against the backdrop of ongoing internal challenges in Bersatu, which recently culminated in the sacking of deputy president Hamzah Zainudin along with several other leaders, including MPs and state assemblymen aligned with him.
