Expect more from Bersatu to jump ship, says analyst
Former Johor Bersatu chief Mazlan Bujang announced his departure from the party on Friday. Analysts say more from Bersatu are likely to leave. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: A Barisan Nasional leader and a political analyst say more Bersatu members will ditch the party closer to the Johor elections, and say those doing so are likely to be “political opportunists”.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said he expects more Bersatu members to quit following the exit of former Johor Bersatu chief Mazlan Bujang, now that the fortunes of Umno and Bersatu appear to have switched.
“It is the same cohort of politicians who ditched Umno for Bersatu when signs emerged during the 2018 general election that (former Umno president) Najib Razak was losing,” he told FMT.
He said it appeared that being on the winning side was most important for these members, for them to be able to continue making “a quick buck” in politics.
PETALING JAYA: A Barisan Nasional leader and a political analyst say more Bersatu members will ditch the party closer to the Johor elections, and say those doing so are likely to be “political opportunists”.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said he expects more Bersatu members to quit following the exit of former Johor Bersatu chief Mazlan Bujang, now that the fortunes of Umno and Bersatu appear to have switched.
“It is the same cohort of politicians who ditched Umno for Bersatu when signs emerged during the 2018 general election that (former Umno president) Najib Razak was losing,” he told FMT.
He said it appeared that being on the winning side was most important for these members, for them to be able to continue making “a quick buck” in politics.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid.
“They should be treated with circumspection and not be made candidates for at least 10 years; let them prove their sincerity in wanting to serve the people, not themselves.
“You can humanely forgive the old wanderer, but never forget that he was ready to leave you when you were about to fall,” said the analyst.
He said instead, Umno should focus on recruiting young political leaders, not ex-Bersatu “has beens” who “carried too much baggage”.
BN communications adviser Isham Jalil said Bersatu was no longer politically tenable, with their members being seen as “opportunistic party hoppers and manifesto cheaters” by the voters.
“The voters don’t like those, as proven in the recent by-elections and state elections where Bersatu lost terribly,” said Isham.
“They should be treated with circumspection and not be made candidates for at least 10 years; let them prove their sincerity in wanting to serve the people, not themselves.
“You can humanely forgive the old wanderer, but never forget that he was ready to leave you when you were about to fall,” said the analyst.
He said instead, Umno should focus on recruiting young political leaders, not ex-Bersatu “has beens” who “carried too much baggage”.
BN communications adviser Isham Jalil said Bersatu was no longer politically tenable, with their members being seen as “opportunistic party hoppers and manifesto cheaters” by the voters.
“The voters don’t like those, as proven in the recent by-elections and state elections where Bersatu lost terribly,” said Isham.
Isham Jalil.
He said it was risky for BN to allow the defectors to contest under its banner straight away.
“If we immediately give them seats to contest, we risk losing the elections, as voters will punish us for supporting party hoppers,” he told FMT.
Mazlan, who was head of the Tebrau Bersatu division, announced his departure from the party at a press conference yesterday.
He said he would not be joining any party yet, but mentioned that he supported BN.
The former Puteri Wangsa assemblyman had previously said he would not contest in the coming Johor elections under Bersatu, citing differences with party president Muhyiddin Yassin.
Mazlan said other Tebrau Bersatu leaders, as well as 23 branch heads, had also resigned from the party.
Expect Ass-binte and gang soon
Watch how the wind is blowing, and tack your boat accordingly.... wakakaka
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