BERSATU’S decision to open its membership to all races will help Umno get more Malay seats and support in the 15th general election, said political analysts.

The party led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will amend its constitution to allow non-Bumiputeras to join, a necessary move after it accepted as members non-Malay MPs aligned with former PKR No. 2 Mohamed Azmin Ali.

“This move by Bersatu will surely benefit Umno. This means Bersatu will no longer be interested in contesting only in Malay seats, which are also being eyed by Umno. Bersatu will now look at non-Malay seats, too,” said Universiti Malaya’s Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi.

“It’s not a loss for Umno, but for Bersatu, as the latter has to give up some Malay seats. It looks like Bersatu needs to challenge Umno for seats now, but after the changes (to the party charter), it will start to compete with MCA and MIC for seats.”

Azmin and his group of nine lawmakers sacked by PKR officially joined Bersatu last week, giving the ruling party a total of 31 MPs.

The Gombak MP said he has some 200,000 supporters nationwide ready to join as well.

After receiving the Azmin faction’s membership forms, Muhyiddin said Bersatu will amend its constitution to allow non-Malay members to vie for party posts, as well as the creation of a non-Malay wing.

Bersatu was formed to mirror Barisan Nasional lynchpin Umno’s agenda of fighting for Malay and Muslim rights, and its membership was opened only to Bumiputeras.

“With the proposed changes, Bersatu will become a multiracial party. It won’t be a threat to Umno or PAS in the fight for Malay support,” said Awang Azman.

Political lecturer Mohamad Tawfik Yaakub said Umno can take advantage of this to attract Malay voters.

“If Bersatu fields more non-Malay candidates in the (next) general election, Umno will surely manipulate it for their own political interests.

“Umno will take advantage of this situation as a dominant Malay party to ensure it sweeps Malay support.”

Azmin and his gang have no choice but to join Bersatu, said Tawfik.

“It was a move to save Azmin and his supporters’ political careers. This is why Muhyiddin is ready to set up a non-Malay wing in Bersatu.

“It’s also to ensure continued support for Perikatan Nasional.”

Ilham Centre CEO Hisomudin Bakar believes that the group’s admission to Bersatu will strengthen the party, which has become weak following the exit of Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s camp.

The former prime minister launched Pejuang to champion Malay rights, something that he said other Malay parties have failed to do.

“Azmin’s entry into Bersatu will add strength to the party. It will add to the party’s negotiating powers in PN,” said Hisomudin, referring to seat talks between Bersatu, Umno and PAS. – August 25, 2020.