UMNO Youth grassroots leaders are not thrilled about bringing Bersatu into muafakat nasional.

They said it is better that Bersatu be dissolved and for its members to return to Umno after the party split into two following the formation of Pejuang, a party formed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Umno Youth exco member Bastien Onn said it would be best for Bersatu members to return to the fold as Umno members.

“It has to start with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin. After all, they were all from Umno not too long ago,” he said.

Bastien said there is no need for two Malay-based parties with similar struggles to be in the pact.

“Malays don’t want two parties with the same identity,” said the Segamat Umno Youth chief.

He said Umno and BN are no longer the same as before last general election.

“We have distanced ourselves from problematic leaders. The people wanted Umno to be cleaned.

“Bersatu’s name, however, was tarnished after its leaders promised the moon and stars to the people through its manifestos,” said Bastien.

He said the Slim by-election will show whether the cooperation between Umno, PAS and Bersatu can be “accepted by the masses or not”.

“In this by-election, we can measure if this cooperation has received the blessing from the people and it will serve as a sign for the next general election,” he said.

Another Umno Youth leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said most of the wing’s leaders are not happy with Bersatu joining the pact, and are not interested in campaigning for its candidates.

“With PAS, we have no problem, but with Bersatu, it is hard for me.

“Personally, I won’t lift their flag,” the leader said.

Yesterday, representatives of Bersatu’s youth wing, Armada, were booed by BN Youth members during the launch of BN Youth’s election machinery in Slim, Perak.

The incident happened twice – once during BN Youth chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki speech and again as Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Bersatu wanted to join muafakat nasional.

Pulai Armada chief Che Wan Farid Che Wan Abd Rahman said the incident showed BN Youth is not ready to accept Bersatu.

“It is embarrassing and shows BN is not ready to work with Bersatu, and this will negatively impact the grassroots,” he said.

Farid said Armada is ready to cooperate with the muafakat nasional parties, especially in the Slim polls.

“We abide by the decision our leaders have made and we are ready to work with Umno and PAS soon.”

Armada chief Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, meanwhile, said: “God willing, soon we will build a relationship with Umno and PAS Youth to strengthen the grassroots.”

Bersatu Sri Gading chief Muhamad Zulfadhly Zulkifly said the party is ready for its relationship with Umno and PAS to be official.

“I have no problem with Umno leaders. Division chiefs and youth committees recognise us.

“For now, we cannot formalise the ties as there is no final decision. We await orders feom our leaders,” he said.

Muhyiddin had said in a video message to members recently that Bersatu will join the muafakat nasional alliance.

This raised questions on the future of the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition, which has yet to be registered.

Umno has said it will not formally join PN, preferring to stay in muafakat nasional instead.

It is said that Bersatu’s entry into muafakat nasional will cement the three Malay-based parties’ position as the backbone of the government.

PN’s allies are Gabungan Parti Sarawak, MCA, MIC and several Sabah outfits. – August 16, 2020.