Like rats abandoning sinking ship, more MPs set to flee Bersatu
Zuraida’s departure only the first, more former Umno lawmakers likely to jump ship, suggest analysts
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid says Datuk Seri Zuraida Kamaruddin’s (left) exit reflects the reality that Bersatu has always been used by ex-leaders of established political parties, chiefly Umno and PKR, as a vehicle to secure a place in the corridors of power. – Bernama pic, May 30, 2022
KUALA LUMPUR – Ampang MP Datuk Seri Zuraida Kamaruddin’s exit from Bersatu is merely the tip of the iceberg, which will see more MPs defecting or seeking greener pastures elsewhere, observed political analysts.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s political scientist Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid told The Vibes that the beginning of the end for Bersatu started when its president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, was ousted as the prime minister in August of last year.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if more Bersatu members leave as we inch nearer to GE15 (the 15th general election). Most of them, while still carrying the Umno DNA, opportunistically jumped on the anti-Umno bandwagon in the pre-GE14 and immediate post-GE14 era.
“Up till today, even after having produced two prime ministers, Bersatu still lacks a clear long-term vision and is still struggling to find ground among grassroots voters.
“Zuraida’s exit reflects the reality that is hard for Bersatu supporters to swallow: that their party has always been used by ex-leaders of established political parties, chiefly Umno and PKR, as a vehicle to secure a place in the corridors of power.
“Once Bersatu’s hold on the premiership is cut off, that usefulness of Bersatu evaporates into thin air,” explained Fauzi.
KUALA LUMPUR – Ampang MP Datuk Seri Zuraida Kamaruddin’s exit from Bersatu is merely the tip of the iceberg, which will see more MPs defecting or seeking greener pastures elsewhere, observed political analysts.
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s political scientist Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid told The Vibes that the beginning of the end for Bersatu started when its president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, was ousted as the prime minister in August of last year.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if more Bersatu members leave as we inch nearer to GE15 (the 15th general election). Most of them, while still carrying the Umno DNA, opportunistically jumped on the anti-Umno bandwagon in the pre-GE14 and immediate post-GE14 era.
“Up till today, even after having produced two prime ministers, Bersatu still lacks a clear long-term vision and is still struggling to find ground among grassroots voters.
“Zuraida’s exit reflects the reality that is hard for Bersatu supporters to swallow: that their party has always been used by ex-leaders of established political parties, chiefly Umno and PKR, as a vehicle to secure a place in the corridors of power.
“Once Bersatu’s hold on the premiership is cut off, that usefulness of Bersatu evaporates into thin air,” explained Fauzi.
The very young Malay-based party had come into power under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner in the previous general election and had two prime ministers under its belt since.
The first was Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad before he was replaced during the treacherous Sheraton Move, by which the then newly formed Perikatan Nasional-Barisan Nasional coalition usurped Putrajaya from a fracturing PH.
Fauzi added that Bersatu had survived thus far due to its influence in forming governments, but has failed to impress ordinary Malaysians over its administration of the country under both PH and PN.
“Bersatu-led PN governed the country in difficult economic times and flouted democratic norms in more ways than one. Whether through its own fault or not, Bersatu carries the stigma of a failed government,” he said.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid says Bersatu has survived thus far due to its influence in forming governments, but has failed to impress ordinary Malaysians over its administration of the country under both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional. – The Vibes file pic, May 30, 2022
Zuraida’s departure a sign of Bersatu’s internal strife, ex-Umno MPs look to head home
On May 26, Zuraida announced that she was leaving Bersatu and would join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).
She also stated that she is resigning as plantation industries and commodities minister but left the matter entirely to the prerogative of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Prior to her exit, rumours were rife for months that Zuraida had fallen out of favour with the party's top leadership.
Azmi Hassan, a senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, said Zuraida's departure also highlights Bersatu’s internal problem as they failed to accept her as a member.
This is despite the Ampang MP along with her former PKR allies bringing in much-needed support to Bersatu post-Sheraton move back in 2020.
“If they cannot accept her out of sincerity, then Bersatu has some major internal problem because it was she and her team, including Azmin, that brought value to Bersatu. In this case, this demonstrates that Bersatu has lost its attraction and ability to replace Umno,” he said.
Zuraida was one of the 11 MPs led by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to quit PKR during the infamous Sheraton Move in February 2020, which led to the collapse of the PH government.
The lawmakers officially became members of Bersatu in August of the same year, with the party also announcing its decision to set up an associate wing to accommodate the non-Malay PKR defectors.
However, what is more obvious is that more Bersatu MPs, especially those formerly from Umno, will look for ways to return to their former party, said Azmi.
“For these elected representatives, there is nowhere left to go but back to Umno, or maybe to PBM. It is good for Umno to accept them back in. If they can pull at least 40 to 50% back to Umno, then it will be the end of Bersatu,” he said.
Zuraida’s departure a sign of Bersatu’s internal strife, ex-Umno MPs look to head home
On May 26, Zuraida announced that she was leaving Bersatu and would join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).
She also stated that she is resigning as plantation industries and commodities minister but left the matter entirely to the prerogative of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Prior to her exit, rumours were rife for months that Zuraida had fallen out of favour with the party's top leadership.
Azmi Hassan, a senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research, said Zuraida's departure also highlights Bersatu’s internal problem as they failed to accept her as a member.
This is despite the Ampang MP along with her former PKR allies bringing in much-needed support to Bersatu post-Sheraton move back in 2020.
“If they cannot accept her out of sincerity, then Bersatu has some major internal problem because it was she and her team, including Azmin, that brought value to Bersatu. In this case, this demonstrates that Bersatu has lost its attraction and ability to replace Umno,” he said.
Zuraida was one of the 11 MPs led by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to quit PKR during the infamous Sheraton Move in February 2020, which led to the collapse of the PH government.
The lawmakers officially became members of Bersatu in August of the same year, with the party also announcing its decision to set up an associate wing to accommodate the non-Malay PKR defectors.
However, what is more obvious is that more Bersatu MPs, especially those formerly from Umno, will look for ways to return to their former party, said Azmi.
“For these elected representatives, there is nowhere left to go but back to Umno, or maybe to PBM. It is good for Umno to accept them back in. If they can pull at least 40 to 50% back to Umno, then it will be the end of Bersatu,” he said.
Azmi Hassan says more Bersatu MPs, especially those formerly from Umno, will look for ways to return to their former party. – The Vibes file pic, May 30, 2022
Bersatu only received backing because of PM post
Another political pundit, Oh Ei Sun, said Bersatu's weak position has already been proven twice in the Melaka and Johor elections.
“The Melaka and Johor elections’ results showed that Bersatu in conjunction with PAS still retained about 20% of voters’ support.
“However, Bersatu’s inability to convert that sizable electoral support into actual seats has brought about a sense of futility among its supporters, who may now be tempted to switch their support to Umno which won overwhelming numbers of seats.
“The idea of backing the winners and not the losers are prevalent among many Umno and Bersatu supporters,” the senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said.
Oh also concurred with Fauzi in attributing Muhyiddin’s ouster from office as the cause of the party’s erosion of support and overall appeal.
The academic pointed out that Muhyiddin’s “Abah” image, which has been synonymised with the party, has not become a liability where it is difficult to separate the two.
However, his “Abah” appeal was only based on his position as prime minister where he held the power to distribute political favours and other resources.
“Now that he is no longer PM, his appeal would undoubtedly decrease,” he said. – The Vibes, May 30, 2022
Bersatu only received backing because of PM post
Another political pundit, Oh Ei Sun, said Bersatu's weak position has already been proven twice in the Melaka and Johor elections.
“The Melaka and Johor elections’ results showed that Bersatu in conjunction with PAS still retained about 20% of voters’ support.
“However, Bersatu’s inability to convert that sizable electoral support into actual seats has brought about a sense of futility among its supporters, who may now be tempted to switch their support to Umno which won overwhelming numbers of seats.
“The idea of backing the winners and not the losers are prevalent among many Umno and Bersatu supporters,” the senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said.
Oh also concurred with Fauzi in attributing Muhyiddin’s ouster from office as the cause of the party’s erosion of support and overall appeal.
The academic pointed out that Muhyiddin’s “Abah” image, which has been synonymised with the party, has not become a liability where it is difficult to separate the two.
However, his “Abah” appeal was only based on his position as prime minister where he held the power to distribute political favours and other resources.
“Now that he is no longer PM, his appeal would undoubtedly decrease,” he said. – The Vibes, May 30, 2022
Shows the quality of those rats cohabitating for mutual selfish gains.
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