Is PPBM trying to be Umno?

BN was never a coalition in spirit and intent even during Mahathir’s first tenure as prime minister. BN was essentially Umno in disguise. BN was Umno masquerading as a power-sharing multiracial coalition.

TK Chua, Free Malaysia Today

Some pundits cautioned earlier that once Dr Mahathir Mohamad assumed prime-ministership, he might stage a “coup” to entice Umno MPs to join PPBM.

It looks like the process has begun, and I think it is going to be ugly and destabilising.

I have nothing personal against Mustapa Mohamed, but why are they arguing about who is acceptable from Umno and who is not? Did Mustapa express anything before the election? As far as I know, he was very much an Umno leader and a minister before Umno was defeated.

Why are we accepting and believing whatever he says now, after Umno’s defeat?

I accept that in life we may change positions or even principles. But surely we must also look at all this with circumspection, especially when political circumstances have changed. To me, regardless of who they are, everything must be taken with a heavy pinch of salt.

Do we know what the beauty of Pakatan Harapan (PH) is? It is a four-party coalition that respects each group as equal regardless of size. PKR and DAP have never exerted more than their power permits. I really hope PPBM and Amanah will learn to appreciate this. Everyone is doing the best they can to support the prime minister from PPBM.

So tell me, why is PPBM recruiting Umno MPs? Is it to become “independently” strong? Why is Amanah so quick to support the move? Do its leaders feel more secure riding on PPBM?

Is PPBM pushing to become Umno? Have its leaders not learned that a Barisan Nasional (BN) dominated by Umno ultimately failed?

BN was never a coalition in spirit and intent even during Mahathir’s first tenure as prime minister. BN was essentially Umno in disguise. BN was Umno masquerading as a power-sharing multiracial coalition.

Is PPBM going to behave like Umno in PH, a dominant party getting ready to bulldoze other partners in the coalition?

When a party in a coalition becomes dominant, many things happen. First, accountability and checks and balances are thrown out of the window.

Second, corruption and race-centric policies may set in. Third, minor coalition partners may no longer enjoy support.

The four partners in PH have stayed together through thick and thin to fight for a new Malaysia. At the very least, they must give themselves the opportunity to work through what they believe and promise to the people.

I urge caution. Don’t start a process that will destabilise everything we fought for.