RAZALIF Mohd Zain, who intends to challenge Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for the Bersatu Youth Chief post, has been disqualified from running in a separate contest for the Bukit Bendera Youth division chief post.

Razalif told The Malaysian Insight his name was dropped from the division poll, scheduled tomorrow, on the grounds that his membership is still “new”.

He said this was a “mere excuse” because he joined Bersatu on February 14, 2018, more than the one year required before a member can contest a position.

“My name was dropped because my membership is less than a year old but I have been a member of this party since 2018.”

Razali said he has raised the issue with the party’s Penang Election Committee (JPP) chairman Ariff Shah Omar Shah, and Central JPP chairman Syed Hamid Albar.

He said he was told to bring the matter to Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya.

“It is disappointing because Marzuki only replied that he has enough evidence and, since then, no further reply,” he said.

The Malaysian Insight has contacted Marzuki for comments but has not received a response.

Razalif said this showed Marzuki’s incompetence.

“Marzuki has to resign immediately. He is not qualified. He previously said members who turn to the media to complain on party matters will be disciplined but what about justice for us as members?

“The JPP is just a clown controlled by Marzuki,” Razalif said.

Bersatu’s constitution requires a member to be registered with the party for at least one year before contesting a post.

Candidates also need to confirm that they are not bankrupt and free of any criminal record.

Meanwhile, Syed Hamid Albar told The Malaysian Insight that despite Razalif’s argument that he has been a member for more than 12 months, party records show that he is still ineligible to contest.

“If he is not satisfied, he can make a complaint to the disciplinary board or appeal board,” Syed Hamid said.

On January 26, Razalif announced he was challenging Syed Saddiq for the Bersatu Youth chief post as well as contesting for Bukit Bendera Youth chief post.

He said that the wing under Syed Saddiq’s leadership appeared to be weak and was not moving forward. – February 22, 2020.