Perikatan Nasional has no formula to reconcile the conflict between the camps aligned with Muhyiddin Yassin and Hamzah Zainudin, opined opposition MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
Wan Fayhsal, who was previously sacked from Bersatu, said that ahead of the next general election, PN needs to decide between maintaining its relationship with the party or working together with Hamzah and his new party.
“Actually, there is none (a formula). The internal split in Bersatu can no longer be fixed because a majority of MPs are with Hamzah. In fact, those who acted in support of him wanted to be sacked, but they were only suspended.
“This means Muhyiddin is playing politics by not releasing (sacking) those who support Hamzah on the grounds that if they are released, they (Hamzah’s camp) will become stronger,” the Machang MP told Malaysiakini.
Speaking on the sidelines of Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Fadzli Hassan’s Hari Raya Aidiladha open house in Machang on Tuesday, the former Bersatu Youth chief claimed that PN will be affected if the clash between Muhyiddin and Hamzah’s camps is not properly resolved.
“That is why PN has to make a decision - which Malay party should be PAS’ strategic partner to face the general election? Between Muhyiddin or Hamzah, which is the lesser of two evils?” he pressed.
Wan Fayhsal said this when asked for his views on the appointment of PAS vice-president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the new PN chairperson, following Muhyiddin’s resignation from the position earlier this year.
The Bersatu president’s move came after a prolonged crisis within PN that sparked when Bersatu’s Abu Bakar Hamzah was appointed Perlis menteri besar after PAS’ Shukri Ramli resigned amid an attempted coup led by Bersatu and three PAS assemblypersons.
While Bersatu’s central leadership denied involvement in any efforts to change the Perlis state government, the party’s internal crisis deepened when the majority of the party’s MPs expressed support for Hamzah, who was then Bersatu deputy president.
The clash between the two camps in Bersatu eventually led to Hamzah’s sacking, followed by the resignation of several senior politicians, including former minister Noh Omar and former Malacca chief minister Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik.
Samsuri, who is also Kemaman MP, was appointed PN chairperson in February, after which he stressed that the strengthening of PN’s political consensus must be expedited to implement structural improvements aimed at making the coalition a nucleus of hope for the people.
Strengthening PN a priority
Commenting further, Wan Fayhsal, who is aligned with Hamzah, said that while his side is ready to face any possibility in the matter, the agenda to strengthen PN remains a priority.
“How to strengthen PN? Of course, in terms of the role of MPs, it is important, (which is) us speaking up in Parliament and outside.
“In fact, Bersatu has lost its strength, (only) Muhyiddin will not admit it because what he is trying to do (now) is only patching up wounds,” he said.
Wan Fayhsal also insisted that the resignation of many grassroots leaders had a major impact on Bersatu because they consisted of the party’s “hardcore fighters”.
Even if new pro-tem appointments are made, he claimed it would not restore the party because he is confident that lower-level members are preparing to join Hamzah’s new party.
“To me, Bersatu has lost credibility within PN. I can say PAS leaders are very aware of the situation involving PN or Muhyiddin,” he said.
“So how is PN going to weather the election with a figure like Muhyiddin? We have spoken up internally, we have been the voice of caution, but everyone was sacked.
“Therefore, for me, we are ready to build a ‘new house’, and our mission is to help Samsuri and PAS to win GE16 (16th general election),” he added.
When asked about the differences of opinion among PAS leaders regarding Samsuri’s appointment, Fadzli, who is also the Kelantan PAS deputy chief, stressed that it was “normal”.
“What is important is that the decision has been made at the central level. For us, differences of opinion are common, but when central PAS makes a decision, everyone obeys,” he assured.
“We welcome that (Samsuri) is the PAS representative in PN. This is an advantage that PAS has, and now it is time for us to play a role at the national level, Insyaallah, and at the party level, we agree unanimously with his appointment.” - Mkini
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