Perikatan based on 'solid foundation' of mutual reward

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 25 Apr 2020 5:00PM · 4 Comments

I WISH to reply to Bangi MP Dr Ong Kian Ming’s contention that Perikatan Nasional will not last until GE 15. I am a Bersatu grassroots member from Ipoh who used to be in Umno.

Ong’s main argument is that Umno is unhappy playing second fiddle to Bersatu despite the former having more seats in parliament, while some of its senior leaders are excluded from the cabinet line-up.

My retort is this: Umno reaching out to Bersatu is the best way to ensure that the party is able to stay in government. What is the alternative to Umno leaders staying in power and being appointed to positions in GLCs?

The other side of the political divide has DAP in it. There is no way Umno will work with DAP, just as  DAP will not work with Umno. Put another way, Bersatu is Umno’s lifeline for now.

Given the choice, Umno would want to cooperate with Bersatu under Perikatan Nasional for the full stretch until the next general election 

The next question is, is there even be a possibility of Bersatu going back to Pakatan Harapan, given its acrimonious departure, should Umno retract its support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin?

As long as Muhyiddin is in charge, possibly not. This is why it is in Umno’s best interest to help Muhyiddin contain Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is Bersatu chairman. Umno would also want to thwart any crossover of Bersatu MPs aligned to Muhyiddin to Dr Mahathir’s camp.

This means to say, there is more reason for Umno to prop up Muhyiddin than for the party to not just lose power, but again be subjected to a witch hunt by a DAP-led government.

What happens after GE15 nobody knows. But for now, while the Bersatu-Umno cooperation lies on the bedrock of mutual self-interest, it is nevertheless a solid foundation.

*Abdullah Yunos reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.

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Comments

  • Still dreaming.

    Posted 6 years ago by JOHN LOOI · Reply

  • He is absolutely right.the MASTER quit UMNO., the founder sacked but under the name of race and religion these politicians have sacrificed the basic principle of all religion betrayal and backstabbing.

    Posted 6 years ago by Malaysian Politics · Reply

  • Foundation of mutual rewards? More like a coalition of traitors and thieves.

    Posted 6 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • " ..... Bersatu-Umno cooperation lies on the bedrock of mutual self-interest ..."

    I agree. UMNO is hoping the court cases of its leaders will be dropped (and corruption money NOT confiscated) ..... Bersatu hoping to stay long enough for their MPs (and spouses) to greatly increase their wealth by hook or by crook and receive obscene pensions the rest of their lives.

    None give a damn about the fate of Malaysia !!!!!

    Posted 6 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply