BERSATU has dropped its plan to take disciplinary action against its Sarawak vice-chairman, Ali Biju, for going against its decision to stay out of the Sarawak state elections.

Ali admitted last night that he disregarded the party’s advice not to defend the Krian seat he had held for two terms when he filed his nomination as an independent candidate.

He said he did it due to the “strong request from my supporters”.

A source in the party told The Malaysian Insight that “the strong statement” of president Muhyiddin Yassin on Thursday “indicated that the party will not take any action against Ali”.

The source said it is rare for the Bersatu president to issue statements and in the case of Ali, an immediate statement from Muhyiddin “is political speak to send a strong signal that the president wants to put an end to all talk of disciplinary action”.

In the statement, Muhyiddin welcomed Ali’s decision to withdraw, describing it a “significant sacrifice” for respecting the relationship between Bersatu and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Four days ago, party information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan had said disciplinary action could be taken.

Ali dropped the bomb shell of withdrawing his candidacy a day after Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Abdul Karim Hamzah had hinted in a talk show that Ali could be the only independent to win a seat in the state elections.

At a press conference last night in Saratok, the main town in his constituency of Krian, Ali said pulling out of the elections is a “big sacrifice” for both him and his supporters, and he has to do it to preserve the party’s interests.

He also said he hoped the sacrifice would be reciprocated by GPS in the next general election when he defends his Saratok parliamentary seat.

“I hope they will give way,” he said.

Ali retained the Krian seat with a 1,640-vote majority in a straight fight with Barisan Nasional’s Kilat Beriak in the 2016 polls. – December 11, 2021.