Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) which was formed by former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad to slaughter the decades-old United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) appears to be embroiled in serious trouble lately.
Bersatu, which was taken over by Malaysia’s eighth prime minister Muhyiddin after Mahathir resigned seems to be ignorant of the surrounding crises.
Muhyiddin instead prefers to take jabs at Malaysia’s sixth premier Najib Razak but was eventually shot down by the latter with facts and figures via social media platforms.
The Pagoh MP’s ignorance is leading to Bersatu losing whatever “little grip” it has in Johor, with party division leaders leaving together and its members citing loss of confidence in Muhyiddin.
First, it was Bersatu’s Tebrau division followed by Larkin and now it is said that Tanjung Piai is next on the list.
Local daily Malay Mail quoting unnamed sources reported that the Tanjung Piai Bersatu division is said to be on the brink of collapse following the mass resignation of several key members who are expected to join Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan).
The report said more than 100 of the division’s leaders and members will quit, citing a loss of confidence in the party‘s leadership as well as a lack of direction.
An official announcement on this mass resignation is scheduled to be held in Pekan Nenas Sunday (06 Feb).
“Many of the division’s members have been disgruntled with the party’s leadership’s decisions.
“The move will affect the division’s election machinery for the coming Johor state election that is expected to be held in early March,” Malay Mail quoted the source as saying on condition of anonymity.
Warisan To Contest In Johor Polls
The same source also did not dismiss the possibility that the defections are a signal that Warisan is prepared to contest in the coming state elections.
He said a majority of those from the Tanjung Piai Bersatu division, who will quit to join Warisan, are seasoned campaigners that recently saw action in the Tanjung Piai by-election in 2019 and also in a supporting role for the recent Melaka state election late last year.
“In the event Warisan joins the Johor state election, it is likely that the party may contest both the Pekan Nenas or Kukup state seats under the Tanjung Piai federal constituency to test waters as a prelude to the general election.
“However, it is still too early to determine this and it will be up to Warisan’s top leadership to make the call,” the source was reported as saying.
Troubled Bersatu
Bersatu has been plagued with serious issues lately. Before Johor issues emerged, the party was seen to be having conflict with Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin.
The problem started when rumours were spreading like wildfire that the Plantation Industries and Commodities minister will join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), the newly-formed party with which she has been heavily linked with.
Zuraida reportedly shared her plans with a Bersatu Supreme Council member and expected to quit the party before the anti-hopping law comes into action.
It was also reported that Zuraida was removed from a WhatsApp group comprising more than 30 Bersatu Supreme Council members, including president Muhyiddin Yassin, last week.
The problem is real. The million-dollar question now is, will Zuraida be sacked from Bersatu by Muhyiddin?
Zuraida and Azmin Ali were sacked from PKR and later joined Bersatu with 10 other PKR lawmakers.
With only 12 elected lawmakers after the 14th General Election (GE14), Bersatu multiplied its MP with reps from UMNO and PKR jumping ship to Bersatu.
How can Muhyiddin jeopardise his party’s strength by sacking Zuraida?
Muhyiddin is actually nothing without his “frogs”.
Muhyiddin Dare Not Push The Button
The Johor polls angered PN leaders and according to sources, at a top-level meeting on 26 January, the coalition discussed pressing the button at the federal level and going for the federal election.
Although it seems this suggestion came from PAS, it was well-received by Bersatu but at the end of the meeting, no conclusions were made and everyone agreed they are not “prepared for the war” yet.
PN is aware of their chances if a snap general election happens and their fate under the hands of UMNO/BN. PN knows it is like walking into a trap. The Melaka and Sarawak polls results speak for themselves.
So, Muhyiddin doesn’t have the guts to push the button yet as how he has threatened before.
He is in a fixed state. His party is in a disarray, his coalition is powerless with passengers like PAS which is losing its plot within grassroots and Gerakan (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia), he knows is not going to get anywhere.
He knows Gerakan has got nothing to bring to the table. His only hope on PAS to convince UMNO to accept Bersatu under Muafakat Nasional (MN) has also backfired. UMNO rejected Bersatu.
What are Muhyiddin’s chances?
Well, Johor polls results are the answer. There are high possibilities that PN gets buried after the polls. PN’s partners, PAS and Gerakan are well known for ditching their partners after any defeats. Let’s see if these two chameleons will do the same this time around.
Pull up your socks Muhyiddin, your days are numbered. – New Malaysia Herald
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