BERSATU deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said he was not pressured to relinquish his post in the coming party elections to make way for Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
Reports in Berita Harian said party secretary-general Hamzah is set to become Bersatu's new deputy president as he was the sole candidate for the post.
Ahmad Faizal, the former Perak menteri besar, said he would at any time sacrifice personal gain in the party's best interest.
"When I lost in Tambun in the general election, I felt I would only be able to play a limited role at a parliamentary level.
"Personal agendas are not important and I have heard people saying I was pressured or instructed to forgo defending my Bersatu post. In truth, I made this decision after losing in Tambun," he said, adding that he was confident his decision would benefit the party in its struggles.
Throughout his political career, Ahmad Faizal said he has always been ready to make sacrifices, citing the time he lost majority support in the Perak state assembly which led to his resignation as menteri besar.
"I did not make noise because I was only concerned about the stability of the state government which was more important than my position.
"I also did not ask my party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was prime minister at the time, to appoint me as a minister."
On July 14, the former youth and sports minister announced he would make way for Hamzah in the Bersatu polls.
Ahmad Faizal said Hamzah, the opposition leader in Parliament can play a greater role in bringing Bersatu's voice to the fore.
He also said the party never barred anyone from contesting any position, and that Bersatu treasured democracy.
He added that he was the one who proposed Hamzah as the candidate for the deputy president's post. - October 7, 2024
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