Muhyiddin said Rashid’s claims were merely excuses for his decision to change his allegiance and support to Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari.
“There is no cartel. Do not make excuses and accuse the party of such things. It is irresponsible,” he told reporters today, responding to the claims made by the former Selangor Bersatu chief.
Earlier today, Rashid was reported as claiming that Bersatu was controlled by a cartel, led by people who joined the party just “a day or two ago”, which was why he decided to support Amirudin.
He said when he was Selangor Bersatu chief, more than half of the division chiefs he proposed to contest in the last state election were “thrown out” because there was a “cartel wanting to bring their own people” as candidates.
Rashid announced he was backing Amirudin on March 6.
In January, Azmin Ali was appointed Selangor Bersatu leader to “rejuvenate” the party, at the expense of Rashid.
However, Rashid rejected claims he was sulking after being pushed aside.
Muhyiddin said Bersatu operated based on its constitution.
“There are rules. Rashid became the deputy chairman of the state leadership council,” he said.
Muhyiddin spoke to reporters after accompanying Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, vice-president Ronald Kiandee and Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal to the Registrar of Societies to submit an amendment to the party’s constitution made on March 2.
Muhyiddin said the amendment was necessary to prevent the government from “buying” its MPs.
This came after six Bersatu MPs pledged support for Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.
They were Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
Muhyiddin said the amendment was submitted to RoS director-general Zulfikar Ahmad.
“We explained the amendment to Zulfikar and, thankfully, everything is in order.
“I was informed that we have followed the established procedures, and I request the director-general to consider the amendment immediately,” he said.