The relationship between Bersatu and Umno in Perikatan Nasional was not just about mutual respect but it must translate into the equitable distribution of positions, according to a Johor Bersatu leader.
The leader, who requested anonymity, said this when asked for his take on Johor Bersatu secretary's recent open letter on the relationship between the two parties.
The source said although Johor Bersatu respected their Umno counterparts, it was acceptable for coalition members to remind each other of their needs.
"We must not just issue reminders. Our understanding (between the two parties) must translate into something material. For instance, positions in GLCs and other areas.
"This cannot be avoided... When we are in power, there are certain areas which the power will translate into positions that must be distributed equitably," he said.
On April 27, Mohd Solihan Badri (photo) penned a public essay, urging Umno not to neglect Bersatu because they needed each other to rule Johor.
Solihan, who is both the state cabinet member and Tenang lawmaker, also said that Bersatu's inclusion in political appointments, such as GLCs, must be part of the "rules" for PN's collaboration.
Consensus easier in Harapan
The source said there were also problems in achieving a consensus between Bersatu and Umno, while claiming that discussions were not as smooth as when Pakatan Harapan was ruling the state
"Sometimes, our leader Mazlan Bujang find it hard to communicate with Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad.
"Sometimes, discussions are not smooth at the division level as well. It's not difficult to reach a consensus, but in these instances, it was not as smooth as before.
"Perhaps it is because (the PN coalition) is still new. We haven't had the time (to discuss properly because of) Covid-19. Our relationship has yet to blossom," said the source.
He said there are also some in Bersatu who disagree with being in a coalition with Umno while others are worried that the party would be sidelined by Bersatu.
"Hence, this process will take time. There has to be a force to unite (the two parties)," he said.
Umno is shoring up power
Meanwhile, former Johor menteri besar Osman Sapian, who is also a Bersatu lawmaker for Kempas, agreed with the source's sentiment and pointed out that some Bersatu political appointees have been unceremoniously removed by the PN state government.
Among others, Osman (photo) revealed that Mersing MP Latif Ahmad, a Bersatu member and now the Rural Development Ministry, had removed several Bersatu members from the board of some agencies under his care.
Among those removed were Permas state lawmaker Che Zakaria Mohd Salleh, who was a member of the Johor Tenggara Development Board. Osman said Che Zakaria was removed without any notice.
"It's not about opposing (Umno), but it seems that they want to monopolise power...
"If Bersatu is not part of PN, we won't be the government. Although we are a minority, Umno needs us too," Osman told Malaysiakini.
Osman was also unhappy with Umno vice-president Mohd Khaled Nordin's appointment as the chairperson of the Pasir Gudang Foundation.
"What is Khaled? He is not an MP or state assemblyperson. He's a nobody.
"These issues make it seem like they are sidelining and using us to be the government to strengthen their position in places where they lost (during the last general election).
"This is causing dissatisfaction (in Bersatu)," he said. - Mkini
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