BERSATU’S position is shaky, despite forming the government with Umno, PAS and several parties from Sabah and Sarawak, said Mukhriz Mahathir.

The Pejuang president said his former boss in Bersatu, Muhyiddin Yassin, may need to look for other formulas to stay relevant in the next general election.

“Bersatu is now stuck. They can’t return to Pakatan Harapan and are also facing problems in Muafakat Nasional.

“Reaction from the top leadership may show some political relationship but at the grassroots level, there is no sign of an understanding.

“Muhyiddin may have to look for a formula (to fit in) if not the party will fail miserably while Umno and PAS may become winners.

“That is why many Bersatu members are joining us because they see there is no future with the party,” said the former Bersatu vice-president.

Mukhriz said several Umno leaders have stated clearly Bersatu won’t get a free pass in the next elections. 

For example, Najib Razak’s former aide, Isham Jalil, questioned Muhyiddin’s position in Pagoh, a seat he first won 1978.

“If Umno won’t let Bersatu contest in the seats they have won previously, how is Bersatu going to retain the seats?”

Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah previously said the party will not back Muhyiddin as prime minister if there are fresh elections.

“The arrangement in Perikatan (Nasional) now is mainly to keep stability. But when we face a general election, it’s a different ball game and Umno has to get its act together,” the Umno adviser told Channel News Asia last month.

Tengku Razaleigh was responding to a question on whether Umno will support Muhyiddin in GE15.

The Gua Musang MP also urged Umno members in Muhyiddin’s cabinet to quit their positions after Bersatu decided to accept non-Bumiputeras as members.

He said Bersatu could not be part of Muafakat Nasional as the party has non-Malays as members.

Muafakat Nasional is the pact between two Malay-Muslim-based parties consisting of Umno and PAS.

The cooperation was formed just after the 14^th general election.

Another Umno leader, Khaled Nordin, also told Muhyiddin to be sincere about joining MN.

The former Johor menteri besar said Bersatu must not look at getting seats if it is sincere about joining MN.

“Do not make the mistake of thinking that joining MN is to save a seat, position or party that is splitting from within,” he said in his Facebook page.

On August 15, Muhyiddin said Bersatu will join MN.

The admission raises questions over the future of the ruling PN coalition, which is yet to be registered.

Umno previously said it won’t join PN, preferring to remain in MN.

Bersatu’s entry into MN will seal the three Malay parties’ position as the backbone of the government.

PN’s allies are Sarawak’s ruling pact GPS, MCA, MIC and several Sabah parties. – September 13, 2020.