KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has clarified that it was his own suggestion to appoint Putrajaya MP Datuk Seri Radzi Jidin as Perikatan Nasional (PN) information chief, and not a result of any leadership ouster, as claimed by unnamed party sources.
“This is old news, not from this year. That party source has malicious intent. Why not name names? Why cite anonymous sources?” he said, addressing claims that he had been removed due to poor performance.
“That source has no class. Just talk facts – what’s the issue? It’s not like you’re revealing party secrets.”
Ahmad Faizal, who is also the former youth and sports minister, maintained that he remains both Perak PN and Perak Bersatu chairman, rubbishing speculation suggesting otherwise.
“I’m still the PN and Bersatu Perak chairman. That’s a fact,” he said today.
Earlier today, Scoop reported that a party insider had alleged his removal from the positions of PN information chief and Perak PN chief, attributing it to alleged underperformance.
However, Ahmad Faizal explained that the leadership transition involving Radzi was a structured move made following Bersatu’s internal party elections and under the purview of PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“These positions fall under the PN chairman’s prerogative – he has the authority to appoint the information chief, election director, secretary and treasurer.
“When Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin won the Bersatu deputy president post uncontested, he automatically became PN deputy chairman, since the Bersatu president is also PN chairman.
“Then, with the Bersatu secretary-general automatically made PN deputy chairman, a replacement was needed. Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali was appointed to replace Hamzah. Azmin had been the PN information chief, so I took over that post.
“But with other responsibilities on my plate, I asked the chairman if I could be reassigned. I said the information chief role was more suited for Datuk Seri Radzi Jidin.
“I’m the one who proposed Radzi. After further discussion, Tan Sri agreed and said I should remain involved in PN. I said, just appoint me to the PN Supreme Council,” he said.
Ahmad Faizal also noted that during his time as information chief, he had helped institutionalise the coalition’s communications arm.
“Before this, the component parties were each working in silos. Now Radzi is continuing the work. It’s running smoothly – no problems,” he said.
He dismissed any suggestion that the change was politically motivated or abrupt.
“The PN meeting in February was our first for the year. The PN constitution requires meetings at least once every three months.
“At that meeting, my proposal (to appoint Radzi) was confirmed, and the next PN meeting will endorse the decision,” he said.
Talk of a change in roles recently gained traction after PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, in a Facebook post, revealed that Radzi had chaired a PN Information and Communications Department meeting, where his designation as ‘PN Information Chief’ was prominently displayed.
As of now, PN has yet to issue any official statement confirming the leadership reshuffle. – May 19, 2025