‘Arrogant top 4’, the reason Bersatu 6 supporting Anwar?

The six Bersatu MPs who declared support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did so because the party’s top leaders refused to entertain or listen to its parliamentarians, according to a source.

(FMT) – Speaking to FMT, a parliamentarian who asked to remain anonymous said in the middle of last year, several MPs began highlighting the need for Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN) to discuss the issue of allocations with the government, after Anwar opened the door for negotiations.

According to the source, allocations were critical, especially for first-time MPs who lack the resources to operate service centres and provide emergency assistance to their constituents.

“When these issues were raised with the party’s top four, they were not entertained… so a decision (on whether to support Anwar) had to be made,” claimed the MP.

“Moreover, the president did not respond at all when contacted.

“Bersatu and PN need to resolve this issue of allocations immediately. Their MPs cannot rely on Bersatu’s financial resources, which are limited,” said the source, who also claimed that MPs from PN were not informed about the progress of negotiations for allocations.

Bersatu is led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin. The deputy president’s post is held by former Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, while former ministers Radzi Jidin and Ronald Kiandee serve as vice-presidents.

In October 2022, Rafiq Naizamohideen, who won one of three deputy president seats in the party election, left Bersatu, a month before the 15th general election.

Bersatu’s Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), and Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang) have all declared their support for Anwar, citing the welfare of their constituents.

In March last year, Anwar urged PN to negotiate for its MPs to receive allocations, as was done during the administration of Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who signed a memorandum of understanding on political transformation and stability.

Eight months later, however, PN chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan said the coalition had discontinued negotiations after the government sought certain assurances.

The source who spoke to FMT said MPs from PAS were now viewing their Bersatu colleagues in a negative light.

“Without knowing the real problem, PAS blames Bersatu MPs and accuses them of being disloyal and not committed to the party’s ideology,” the source said.

When asked what might happen if top Bersatu leaders continue to ignore their MPs, the source said that logically, more MPs will announce their support for Anwar.

“But the most damaging thing will (occur) during the next general election. People won’t see Bersatu, except when they play up Malay and Islamic sentiments.”

FMT has reached out to Bersatu information chief Razali Idris for comment.