Younger Leaders May Flee Bersatu if Hierarchy Trumps Performance

Prioritizing Hierarchy Over Performance May Discourage Younger Leaders

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s decision to replace junior representatives in the Perlis state executive council with senior members goes against its spirit of breaking away from entrenched power structures in a party, says a political analyst.

Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, of strategic advisory firm ADA Southeast Asia, pointed out that many Umno members left the party to join Bersatu to seek a merit-based system after feeling overlooked despite their contributions.

“If Bersatu continues prioritising hierarchy over performance, younger leaders will be discouraged from joining or continuing in the party,” he told FMT.

Bersatu’s Merit-Based System at Risk

Asrul said Bersatu cannot depend on protest votes and must strengthen to build its support base with fresh ideas and new leaders.

“This will be difficult if the party names its leaders based on nepotism and not on merit,” he said.

Bersatu President Confirms Hierarchy-Based Decision

In an interview with FMT, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin confirmed that Tambun Tulang assemblyman Wan Zikri Afthar Ishak was dropped from the Perlis exco because of party hierarchy, and not performance.

Muhyiddin said both Wan Zikri and Pauh assemblyman Megat Hashirat Hassan were not reappointed to the exco for the 2024-2025 term not because they had failed to carry out their duties, but due to their positions within the party.

Exceptional Cases Should Lead to Re-Evaluation

Azmi Hassan of the National Professors Council said Muhyddin made the right move, as executive council appointments are typically based on party quotas and hierarchy rather than performance.

However, he said, exceptional cases of strong performance should lead to a re-evaluation of this approach.

“Even if hierarchy is the norm, the people of Perlis should voice their concern that if a particular assemblyman performed very well, then there’s no reason, even according to the party hierarchy, that someone else should be appointed,” he said.

Conclusion

Bersatu’s decision to prioritize hierarchy over performance may have far-reaching consequences, including discouraging younger leaders from joining or remaining in the party. The party must find a balance between its hierarchical structure and merit-based system to build a strong support base and attract fresh talent.

FAQs

Q: Why did Bersatu replace junior representatives in the Perlis state executive council with senior members?
A: According to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, the decision was based on party hierarchy, not performance.

Q: What is the impact of prioritizing hierarchy over performance on younger leaders?
A: Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, a political analyst, said that younger leaders may be discouraged from joining or remaining in the party if hierarchy is prioritized over performance.

Q: Can Bersatu depend on protest votes?
A: Asrul said that Bersatu cannot depend on protest votes and must strengthen to build its support base with fresh ideas and new leaders.