KUALA LUMPUR: As Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) grapples with a loyalty crisis, the Malay nationalist party is finding itself navigating the heightened divisions within its leadership as it approaches its annual general assembly (AGM).
The party's AGM, scheduled for Thursday, Nov 23 until 25, is also expected to turn the heads of many as it presents a crucial juncture for the party to pull up its stakes following rumours of simmering tensions among its leadership.
Speculations about internal factions and tense relationships in the party became notably apparent after four of its lawmakers recently deviated from the party line and pledged their allegiance to the government led by long-time opposition leader turned prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
While the four lawmakers stood firm in their decision towards the allegiance on the basis of prioritising their constituents' well-being, Bersatu leaders have also alleged that the lawmakers had been enticed with money from political 'operators' working on behalf of the current administration.
In the wake of this, the seven-year-old party is expected to amend its constitution during the assembly, aiming to ban its members from endorsing rival political parties.
Bersatu vice-president Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said the focal point of the party's assembly would be towards strengthening the party, with proposed amendments to the party's constitution being among the key motions to be discussed in the three-day assembly.
Sources in the know also hinted that the proposed amendment might address the requirement for the top five positions, where current requirements might be nullified. Currently, candidates must be party members and supreme council members for at least two terms.
While the party leadership aims for unity through the assembly and possible constitutional amendments, scepticism looms among political pundits who hold reservations on the matter.
International Islamic University Malaysia's Department of Political Science head, Associate Professor Dr Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri highlighted that the assembly could not fully resolve the internal rift within the party.
She added that the assembly, at most, could only facilitate a temporary agreement within the existing leadership structure.
"Somehow, I do not think that the assembly could resolve the internal rift within the party completely. However, it could come to an agreement and compromisation for the current leadership structure," she said.
The same perspective was highlighted by Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan who viewed that the constitution could lead to a ripple effect and a potential 'constraint' for certain leaders to become a president.
Azmi added the situation could only act as a catalyst for more lawmakers to switch allegiance after the congress.
"People (the members) will read it as a constraint for certain leaders in Bersatu to be a president in this case. Hence, the internal turmoil will be greater.
"If it goes through and passes by the delegates, there will be more of its members switching allegiance to the prime minister immediately after the assembly aside from the four recently."
On the contrary, University of Tasmania's Asia Institute, Professor James Chin was of the view that while the assembly is aimed at uniting the party, the absence of certain individuals from the assembly may indicate underlying political manoeuvres.
"The important thing is that this assembly will have to unite the party as we expect more of its members of parliament (MP) to declare support for the government.
"However, one interesting take is on those who will not show up at the assembly. This is already an indication that something is cooking.
"If you are planning to not support your party, you probably won't show your face," he said.
Chin also underscored the intriguing dynamics between Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, who is also the opposition leader.
This is especially in light of Faizal's leadership ambitions, potentially impacting the party's leadership structure.
"(The assembly) will demonstrate whether Hamzah will move up in Bersatu, (as) everybody sees him as a potential leader.
"Hence, we need to give attention to his dynamics with Peja (Faizal) as the latter is the only one who is clearly aiming for the leadership (position).
"(And) we will see whether there are any deals done for Hamzah to move up when the president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin steps down."