INFIGHTING and power struggles were the reasons Negri Sembilan Bersatu was disbanded, said its new chairman Rais Yatim.

The former Umno stalwart said he had to put an end to disputes threatening to split the party in the state.

“Inactivity, the trend of fighting to become leaders, fill positions – I quelled all that and I told them you have to abide by the leadership system and discipline themselves,” Rais said after a ceramah in Taman Intan, Port Dickson.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin dissolved the Negri Sembilan chapter last month, just weeks before PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim would contest the Port Dickson by-election.

The Pagoh MP said the chapter was dissolved on the advice of the Registrar of Societies (RoS).

Meanwhile, Rais said the interim committee would be made up of 60-70% new faces, and problematic members would only be allowed to contest for a seat after a year.

“The hanky-panky and all the disruptions, we are quite used to it. We are telling them this is an interim situation. If you actually want to contest later, come and contest after one year,” he said. 

Rais admitted he was having a hard time restructuring the party in the state as there was much confusion. 

“I’m having a tough time. Two years have gone by and a certain trend has developed. But I’m very positive and we are going to reorganise the interim committee, all eight divisions,” Rais said. – October 11, 2018.