Bersatu Leaders’ Participation at PAS Rally to Undermine Unity Government, Says Analyst
Bersatu has no choice but to allow some of its leaders and members to attend a pro-Najib Razak rally organised by PAS and scheduled for next Monday, says a political analyst.
Bersatu’s Struggle to Remain Relevant
University of Tasmania’s James Chin stated that Bersatu and its party president Muhyiddin Yassin have been losing support, particularly to its more dominant Perikatan Nasional (PN) ally, PAS. He said Bersatu needs to do everything it can to remain relevant to the masses.
Limited Options for Muhyiddin
Even though Muhyiddin may not be pleased with the coalition’s component parties and his own party members’ attendance at the rally, Chin said that the PN chairman had little choice in the matter. "What can Muhyiddin do if PAS wants to support Najib? Muhyiddin doesn’t have the power, his party is so small compared with PAS. He cannot tell PAS to stop supporting (Najib). In fact, even if he does, PAS will just ignore him," Chin explained.
Rally to Coincide with Najib’s Court Appeal
The rally will coincide with Najib’s application to the Court of Appeal for leave to adduce fresh evidence in his appeal to be placed under house arrest, as purportedly decreed by former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Participation in the Spirit of "National Reconciliation"
Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said party leaders and members were free to join the rally outside the Palace of Justice in the spirit of "national reconciliation." Wanita Bersatu chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said she and several other Bersatu leaders were expected to be present at the event.
Critics Dismiss "National Reconciliation" Claim
However, both James Chin and Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia dismissed the "national reconciliation" claim as mere rhetoric. They said participation at the rally was unlikely to improve ties between the country’s three major Malay-Muslim parties—Umno, PAS, and Bersatu.
Undermining the Unity Government
Azmil Tayeb believes that PN leaders are merely trying to sow discord within the unity government with Najib’s house arrest appeal as a pretext. He also believes that Muhyiddin’s real objective is to undermine the unity government. "But I doubt Najib can bring all the Malay parties together. He’s just a means to an end, which is to destabilise the current government," Azmil said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bersatu leaders’ participation at the PAS rally is likely to undermine the unity government, as claimed by analysts. The rally’s coincidence with Najib’s court appeal and the "national reconciliation" claim have been dismissed as mere rhetoric. The true intentions behind the rally remain unclear, but one thing is certain: the unity government is under threat.
FAQs
Q: Why is Bersatu participating in the PAS rally?
A: Bersatu has no choice, as PAS is already attending, and Bersatu is losing support to its more dominant ally, PAS.
Q: What is the purpose of the rally?
A: The rally is said to be in the spirit of "national reconciliation," but critics believe it is a ploy to undermine the unity government.
Q: What is Najib’s court appeal about?
A: Najib is seeking to be placed under house arrest, as purportedly decreed by former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.