Speaking on the latest episode of the Zaid Ibrahim Podcast, the suspended Supreme Council member alleged the existence of “silap mata” (sleight of hand) in how the votes were handled.
“I have to be frank, the election was dirty. A lot of manipulation happened and I told the president this is not right,” he said.
Wan Fayhsal claimed that in the contest for Bersatu Youth chief, running tallies initially showed a different winner but “after three days, cancellations happened in divisions that backed (Youth chief Hilman Idham’s) opponent”.
He alleged the election committee voided several results, flipping the outcome in favour of Hilman Idham, whom he said was aligned with party secretary-general Azmin Ali, causing the other candidate, Akmal Zahin, to be disadvantaged.
In October last year, the Bersatu election committee denied allegations of external interference in the election of Hilman to the post of Bersatu Youth chief.
At the time, election committee chairman Abdul Azim Zabidi was reported to have said that its decision was made unanimously after having examined all the objections raised during the youth wing’s election.
Wan Fayhsal said his camp sought tighter safeguards, including photographing Form K12 tallies and taking photographs and videos to verify meetings.
While he said these procedures were initially agreed to by senior leaders, some top figures later pushed back, arguing such proof was unnecessary.
Wan Fayhsal also claimed PAS was not consulted on Perikatan Nasional (PN) appointments after the Bersatu polls, including the announcement that Muhyiddin Yassin would be the coalition’s prime ministerial candidate in the 16th general election (GE16).
He said this made PAS to push back by stating their preference for a prime ministerial candidate who is “under 70” and with a clean record.
“I want the public to know the majority of division chiefs did not agree to naming Muhyiddin as (the candidate for) prime minister,” he said, warning such moves could sour ties with PAS “when Bersatu is at its weakest”.
“Bersatu is fairly dependent on PAS’s efforts. We need to respect and understand PAS’s sensitivities,” he added.