Wan Fayhsal claimed that money was being offered to influence votes in the contest, and that a leader told him he was approached to switch his vote in return for payment but refused.

He also claimed the final count of about 1,400 ballots in the polls was delayed for several days, and said he reported the matter through internal channels as the outgoing Bersatu Youth chief.

Gombak Setia assemblyman Hilman Idham was elected the new Bersatu Youth chief, defeating Akmal Zahin Zainal Zahir by just 170 votes.

Wan Fayhsal said the issue was only discussed by the party’s top leadership and was never referred to enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“I made an internal report. But instead of investigating it, action was taken against me,” he said on the Keluar Sekejap podcast hosted by former Umno leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan.

Wan Fayhsal described the episode as part of a wider breakdown of trust within Bersatu, which later saw him suspended and Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan expelled.

They have both appealed against the disciplinary action taken against them.

FMT has contacted the Bersatu leadership and disciplinary board for comment.

On Oct 14, Bersatu’s disciplinary board said action was taken against Wan Fayhsal and Wan Saiful for “actions that disrupted party unity” and for defying party instructions.

This led to escalating tensions within Bersatu amid a purported leadership feud between party president Muhyiddin Yassin and his deputy, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin.

Wan Saiful has accused several figures close to Muhyiddin of straining ties among the party’s top leaders, singling out Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali and information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz.

Bersatu’s disciplinary board has also summoned several other leaders for hearings, including Hamzah and Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah.

Saifuddin has also urged Muhyiddin to step down.