Efforts to oust Anwar-backing defectors could spell further doom for Muhyiddin’s Bersatu party, analysts warn
“It makes Bersatu look foolish when compared to UMNO, that their constitutional amendment will do nothing to stop the six (defectors).”
(CNA) – Muhyiddin Yassin is tackling internal strife and his own legal troubles as he prepares to defend his presidency of a party that is being overshadowed in the coalition it’s supposed to lead.
The decision by the opposition Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to turn the screws on six of its Members of Parliament (MP) who have pledged support for the government could backfire and further doom the party, analysts told CNA.
This comes after Bersatu said on Mar 2 it has amended its constitution to automatically kick out MPs who defy the party position, in a move it said was aimed at preventing the government from stealing its MPs and its own members from exploiting a legal loophole to support other political parties.
The amendment is subject to approval from the Registrar of Societies (RoS) and can be challenged in court in a lengthy legal process with every chance of being struck down.
Currently, six Bersatu MPs – Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Mr Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mr Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Mr Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Mr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Mr Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) – have pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in return for constituency allocations.
The internal strife comes as Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin is embroiled in his own legal battle, after the Court of Appeal overturned his acquittal in a RM232.5 million (US$49.5 million) graft case. A former prime minister, Muhyiddin is trying to solidify his leadership of Bersatu as the lynchpin party of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition.
Muhyiddin has said that Bersatu’s constitutional amendment, if approved by the RoS, will compel the six MPs to vacate their seats and trigger a by-election, in line with the anti-hopping law enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
But Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Azmi Hassan told CNA that while the anti-hopping law applies to MPs who quit their party, it does not specify regarding MPs who have been dismissed by their party.
“The six Bersatu members will lose their membership, but again they can be independent and keep their seats. So, there is no benefit for Bersatu in this case,” he said.
Dr Azmi said the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which Bersatu splintered from, had the foresight to make its election candidates sign an agreement before the 2022 national polls to adhere to the party’s position at all times.
“It looks like UMNO can think for the future, compared to Bersatu which is in a predicament right now,” he added.
