KUALA LUMPUR — Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Faizal Azumu has dismissed suggestions that recent disciplinary action against leaders aligned with Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has weakened the party, insisting instead that it has reinvigorated grassroots support and strengthened the party’s overall position.
Speaking on the Trick Lama podcast hosted by Big Boom Media editor-in-chief Terence Fernandez, executive director Datuk Rocky Ahiruddin Attan, and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohammed Isa, Faizal—better known as Peja—said the expulsion and suspension of several members had produced the opposite effect of what critics had expected.
Rather than triggering a decline in support, he claimed Bersatu had seen increased membership applications, the formation of new branches, and higher grassroots participation.
“Actually, after the discipline board made that decision to dismiss and so on, somehow, I myself found that the demand for new members increased. The growth of new branches increased,” he said.
The first episode of the podcast is released alongside this story today, while the second part will be aired on Friday.
The internal rift emerged after a faction of leaders associated with Hamzah publicly challenged the party leadership, prompting disciplinary proceedings by Bersatu’s disciplinary body and subsequent action.
Faizal maintained that the decision was necessary to preserve party discipline, arguing that those involved had chosen to air grievances publicly instead of using internal party channels.
“They still have avenue in our Majlis Pimpinan Tertinggi to voice out whatever issues that they had.
“However, they chose to blow up the issue and highlight the party’s weaknesses in public, instead of resolving matters internally, which is not right.” he said.
The former Perak menteri besar added that the departure of several senior figures had allowed long-standing grassroots members to become more active within the party.
He said many of Bersatu’s early supporters had previously been overshadowed following the influx of former Umno leaders after the party’s formation.
“They were sidelined and then, now, when they are no longer there, this group became more enthusiastic, so they brought their family members, they brought their friends, and they know how to do things better now, I guess,” he addded.
Faizal said the renewed involvement had strengthened the party’s grassroots machinery, with members now feeling a greater sense of ownership in Bersatu’s direction.
He also rejected claims that the leadership had acted inconsistently, noting that disciplinary measures had been applied in earlier internal disputes, including during Hamzah’s tenure as secretary-general.
He cited past action taken against members who attended the “Blackout Programme”, linked to factions supporting former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad following the “Sheraton Move” political realignment.
“When Dato’ Sri Hamzah was Secretary-General, he himself, along with others, I believe, at that time, when we did not yet have a disciplinary agency, acted through a special authority to take action against those who attended the Blackout Programme.” the former Youth and Sports Minister explained.
Faizal said criticisms that the party had been weakened by internal action failed to reflect what was happening on the ground.
“So, to say that Bersatu has weakened because of that, I feel that since 2016, when we formed the party, and after we had our first election in 2018, from my experience in the last general election and going into the upcoming general election, I believe Bersatu’s momentum is much stronger than in the previous general election, and also compared to 2014,” he said.
He added that preparations for the next general election were already underway, with party secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and election machinery teams working to strengthen organisational readiness.
“So, we want to prepare our machinery. So, that’s election mode. If we don’t have our machinery, if there’s no one at the polling station, if there’s no volunteers, then that’s honeymoon.” he added.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges, particularly in upcoming state elections, Faizal insisted Bersatu was in a stronger position than in previous cycles.
He concluded that the disciplinary action had not weakened the party but instead helped consolidate and energise its grassroots base as it prepares for the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls and the next general election.
“We are better now,” he said. – June 24, 2026