Video of Osman saying Bersatu has strayed from original struggle emerges

A video has emerged of former Johor menteri besar Osman Sapian saying that Bersatu has strayed from its path.

The video uploaded by Johorkini on Facebook, appears to be from when the Kempas assemblyperson was spotted with Bersatu-splinter group Pejuang in Slim, Perak on Monday night.

The video, which is truncated, starts with Osman saying: "...achieve victory, and defeating BN. Even though I am still the Kempas assemblyperson, I am still in Bersatu, and Bersatu is still in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, but I don't care.

"I am thinking of a struggle that is sincere and pure. We want to see change.

"Bersatu, as it is right now, has strayed from its original struggle," he said, adding that in the 2018 general election they had fought to defeat a purportedly corrupt BN administration.

The video ends just as he refers to Pejuang pro-tem chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad as "ayahanda".

When contacted, Osman merely replied: "Biasa lah" (It's normal).

Previously, he had said he was in Slim to visit friends and to attend to business. He had been spotted together with Mahathir strongman Abu Bakar Yahya.

Osman's disgruntlement with Bersatu could spell disaster for PN in Johor.

Johor PN has 29 seats in the state assembly against Pakatan Harapan's 27. A single defection from PN would result in a hung assembly.

State ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had warned that he would dissolve the state legislature - which is slated to reconvene on Sept 10 - if there is another power struggle.

Two weeks ago, Osman dismissed speculation that Johor Bersatu assemblypersons would be defecting to Pejuang as just "rumours".

However, a senior Johor Bersatu assemblyperson previously said there was strong interest among the grassroots to join Mahathir's new party.

Osman's appearance with Pejuang comes after he failed to secure a spot in Bersatu's supreme council in the party elections which concluded a week ago.

He was among Johor Bersatu leaders who were vocal in criticising Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad for allegedly sidelining the party after Umno took charge of the state government.

A counter-coup in Johor was previously in the works before Sultan Ibrahim poured cold water over it by threatening snap polls. - Mkini