'Born of traitors, Bersatu will keep facing betrayals'

 

Umno has no issues with the defection of Bersatu MPs who showed support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but a party leader insisted that “traitors will be traitors”.

Reflecting on how Umno was betrayed after the party first lost federal power in 2018, secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the same individuals have now defected from Bersatu.

Asyraf said Bersatu was a party “born out of betrayals” and now is forced to pay the price of its own treacherous acts.

“Whoever wants to give support, what is most important for us is that the government is stable.

“Umno from the beginning has taken the stance that we are in this government because we feel that stability is important for the people,” he said.

“And that is among the advice given by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to end past conflicts. But a traitor will remain a traitor,” said Asyraf.

Series of defections

Insisting that Bersatu was born from the “DNA and womb of a traitor”, Asyraf said the party will continue to face its own betrayals.

“We can see in 2018 how they tried to steal BN and Umno MPs.

“One by one they betrayed Umno’s struggle... today the same individuals are involved in the series of betrayals (against Bersatu),” he said.

On Thursday, PKR veteran Hassan Abdul Karim said the party should thoroughly vet the background of senior politicians from other parties who want to join, to ensure the party does not accept individuals with criminal records, who are bankrupt, or involved in corruption.

To date, six Bersatu MPs have announced their support for Anwar and the government.

The six are Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

On March 7, Selat Klang assemblyperson Abdul Rashid Asari from Bersatu became the first Bersatu state-elected representative to announce support for Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

Others from Bersatu who joined PKR include former supreme council member Muhammad Faiz Na’aman, along with former Dengkil assemblyperson Adhif Syan Abdullah.