Bersatu on Tuesday sacked Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful and four division chiefs for violating the party’s constitution and code of conduct. Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal was suspended for the same reason.

In a Facebook post, Wan Saiful, a former Bersatu Supreme Council member, said a small group in power within Bersatu was using its position and authority to suppress the larger group that “refuses to let the party be exploited for personal or family interests”.

“The situation in Bersatu is only temporary as more members are demanding change while the top leadership resists it,” he said.

“The top leaders are using their power to defend a feudal system of patronage politics and to silence differing opinions.

“Nevertheless, I am confident that this situation will not last long as the grassroots members of Bersatu are fighters who want to return the party to its people-centred agenda.”

Stating that disagreements and conflicts are normal in any political party, he called for patience and for the party to be given time to resolve its internal crisis.

At a press conference with Wan Saiful on Tuesday, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal accused the party’s disciplinary board of acting with bias and “selective efficiency”, claiming that two of its four members had family or professional ties with top Bersatu leaders.

Wan Saiful said they would study the board’s decision and grounds before deciding whether to file an appeal, insisting that they were both “on the side of truth”.

Wan Fayhsal and Wan Saiful also claimed that the disciplinary action against them was rushed as the investigation was completed in less than a week.

“Some people are using their positions and power to pressure us, but we will go through the process properly,” said Wan Saiful.

“Bersatu doesn’t belong to any one individual. It especially cannot be used by anyone to save themselves or their family.”