Defections spotlight divide between ex-Umno old guards and Bersatu's youths

Bersatu has received much flak, particularly from its Pakatan Harapan partners, for accepting elected representatives who defected from Umno.

But grumblings are also coming from within as the party is divided over how to handle Umno members turning away from the former ruling party.

At the parliamentary level, Bersatu has to date accepted three MPs who had quit Umno, namely Mustapa Mohamed (Jeli), Noor Azmi Ghazali (Bagan Serai) and Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah).

The trio had quit Umno to remain as independent before joining Bersatu. Twelve other MPs have also quit Umno and there are now speculations that they are looking to join Bersatu.

The customary complaint was that these former Umno leaders would bring with them the culture of money and patronage politics into Bersatu, which split from Umno two years ago.

But beyond that, there is also a contest between the old guard and new guard.

For a long time, Umno had been accused of stifling young talents as old warlords held on to their posts.

In contrast, 65 percent of the membership in Bersatu comprises youths.

"We welcome the good ones who have experience in administration, economy and community work but the bad ones only want positions.

"Even though a condition has been set that they cannot context in the next party election but to me, it is still not fair (to take them in)," said Bersatu's Dengkil assemblyperson Adhif Syan Abdullah (below).

Leadership challenge

Adhif acknowledged that there were fears the latest exodus would set the table for the current leadership, comprising many youths, to be ousted in future by the old guard coming from Umno.

"This is a concern and unhappiness among the members who have been part of the struggle," he said.

To the Bersatu members who joined the party before it gained power, they had taken a leap of faith and endured retribution from Umno.

But for those joining after the 14th general election, they did not have to go through the same bitter experience.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Bersatu chief Razali Idris (below) was worried if Bersatu did not take in the Umno defectors, they may then turn to PAS, thus strengthening the Islamist party.

“We must reinforce our party. If we do not allow Umno people to join, they may join PAS, (then) who will suffer the losses? It's better (for them) to join us than PAS," he said.

The majority of seats that Bersatu contested in have traditionally also been contested by PAS.

Bersatu failed to win any parliamentary seats in Kelantan and Terengganu as PAS captured 15 while Umno took seven.

Razali, who was appointed as a senator, also said that he was unperturbed about possibly being unseated by the new Bersatu members coming from Umno.

"I never worry about this. If as division chief, you serve the party members well, nobody will vote for the defectors.

"Even if they join, they won't know their fate in the next general election. There is no agreement that they can be a candidate in the next general election if they join Bersatu," he said.

Razali was defeated by Umno candidate Rosol Wahid in Hulu Terengganu parliamentary seat. Rosol has since quit Umno to become an independent.

Grassroots trumps bigwigs

For Pagoh Bersatu secretary Atiman Kadar, his focus was less on the former Umno bigwigs wanting to join Bersatu but more about the ordinary Umno members.

"The people will know that the mistakes of (certain) BN and Umno leaders are unforgivable. For the ordinary members, it's okay (to let them join), they can help us," he said.

Atiman (above) then related how an Umno village chief, despite not defecting to Bersatu before the 14th general election, had been passing information to the splinter party.

Prior to the formation of Bersatu, Umno and PAS traditionally have had strong grassroots in the Malay heartland. While PKR and Amanah have made inroads in the southern states, it remains a challenge for them in other parts of the country.

However, not all Bersatu members who joined the party during its founding years are convinced.

Pendang Bersatu chief Abdul Razak Khamis is worried that the defections could cause friction between Bersatu and its Pakatan Harapan allies, which would cause the coalition to appear unstable.

"The people will be disappointed with their MPs who defected and I fear that the disappointment will translate to anger towards us," he said.

Abdul Razak, who advocates anti-party hopping legislation, is also worried if the defectors are allowed to re-contest their seats, they may switch parties again if the circumstances change.

The Bersatu central leadership have repeatedly assured that members seeking to defect from Umno to Bersatu will be properly vetted, even setting up a committee for this purpose under its deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir.

Going into the Bersatu annual general assembly in Putrajaya this weekend, party members are expected to, among others, air their concerns and positions on accepting Umno members. - Mkini