POLITICS: Umno's thorny Bersatu problem

 

By PHILIP GOLINGAI

Today's two-day Umno’s annual general assembly (AGM) will decide whether it will sever ties with its political twin - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

"The AGM is to reaffirm the overwhelming states and grassroots rejection of Bersatu and (its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin)," said Pulai Umno division chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

He said the central question is whether Umno will contest as a government ally with the Perikatan Nasional coalition or as opposition as Barisan Nasional in GE15.

"The underlying moves to buy saboteurs in Umno to disrupt the AGM exposes the devastating reality that Bersatu and Muhyiddin are liabilities in GE15 to any parties interested in combining and drawing resources from the government, and Umno has decided to diverge and not be tainted by the Perikatan government," said Nur Jazlan, who is with Team tak mesra bunga (not friendly with flower, the symbol of Bersatu).

Putrajaya Umno deputy division chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz conceded that based on how the sentiment in the party against Bersatu was fanned, it seemed the AGM would endorse the motion to cut ties with Bersatu in GE15.

"But we can't dismiss the effort made by the pro-ummah unity quarters who have been moving around explaining the reasons and justification why Umno shouldn't cut ties with Bersatu, and Perikatan and should keep the negotiation window open," said Tun Faisal, who is with Team mesra bunga (friendly with flower).

For Tun Faisal, the AGM will be a fight for not only a better chance for Umno to win more seats in GE15.

"But it is also to protect its soul and struggles, plus saving it from those with opposing ideology like supporting (PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), PKR and DAP," he said.

Nur Jazlan hit back.

"Bersatu is a personality-based party with no ideology or principles and its leaders are opportunists who were part of Barisan and then Pakatan Harapan and now Perikatan. Umno must go its way to protect its soul and struggles," he said.

On whether the delegates endorsing to cut ties with Bersatu in GE15 would be a Pyrrhic victory for Team anti-Bersatu as they don't have total control of the 38 Umno MPs, Nur Jazlan said: "In the end, I trust they will do the right thing and rid themselves of the opportunistic and selfish behaviour of Bersatu.”

"The members have observed events in the past year and identified the MPs and ministers not serving Umno’s interests and will punish them in GE15 and party elections," he said.

Tun Faisal warned that if Umno MPs were forced to quit their post in government and government-linked companies (GLCs), it would negatively affect the party.

"But if GE15 is not going to happen soon, then Umno still has time to change its leadership, and if new faces are in the ranks and files, things could be better for Umno in the coming general election," he said.

The AGM is unlikely to resolve Umno's thorny bunga problem. - Star