Rais to face music over Pakatan to lose GE15 remark
PETALING JAYA: Bersatu policy and strategy bureau chief Datuk Dr Rais Hussin would be facing the music over his remark that “Pakatan Harapan would lose if GE15 is held tomorrow”.
This was confirmed by Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is also the Malaysian premier during a press conference held post party meeting.
He however stopped short of naming Rais outright.
“We have discussed at length, among others, disciplinary issues, especially (those involving) members of the Bersatu supreme council and the (Pakatan Harapan) presidential council.
“Those who hold the post must be careful with their statements. If they make a statement that tarnishes the party’s image, action will be taken against them,” he told reporters after chairing the Bersatu supreme council meeting.
“It has been decided that (the leader who claimed) that Harapan parties will lose… we will conduct an investigation and refer it to the disciplinary board.
“The disciplinary board will prepare a report and submit it to the supreme council to decide on the action to be taken,” he said.
Dr Mahathir also noted that Bersatu had not appointed anyone for the position of chief strategist.
“This is a self-proclaimed title… there is no such thing,” he said.
He was coy when asked whether he was referring to Rais. “Maybe.”
Rais meanwhile denied calling himself chief strategist.
“Mahathir himself chaired the meeting with the supreme council members then. That includes the party president and deputy president, then secretary-general, treasurer and others,” he said.
“I have never, ever called myself the chief strategist. Even if you check the byline on my public articles, I clearly used the title policy and strategy head,” Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.
On another matter, the nonagenarian said that Bersatu polls that was scheduled to be held next month have been postponed to next year.
Bersatu’s party election has been postponed to June 20, 2020 for the central level whereas branch level polls are scheduled to take place between Jan 25 and March 1.
Division level polls will be held on April 4.
