MALAY political parties Umno, Bersatu and PAS are unable to defend Malay interests as they are merely interested in power, speakers at a forum tonight said.

The three parties are unable to reach an agreement and instead bicker over power and position, they said at the online forum on ties between Umno and Bersatu organised by the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCH) which was live streamed on Facebook.

Speaker Mohd Sayuti Omar, a veteran political blogger, said Umno and Bersatu have no clear agenda for the country, while PAS is using both of them for its benefit.

“All this while Umno claims that its objective is to safeguard the Malays and Muslims. Bersatu, when it was formed, used the same rhetoric, too.

“These slogans are just lies and nonsense. If they really wanted to defend the Malays, why are they both not working together. These two parties have no direction and are not sincere about helping the Malays.

“Their sole aim is to grab power,” Sayuti told the forum.

On PAS, he said the Islamist party was using Umno to stay relevant, and Bersatu in order to be in power.

Alor Setar MP Chan Ming Kai agreed that Bersatu and Umno were merely interested in power.

“When in fact, Malay parties are fighting each other for power. That is why, no matter what colour you are, only a clean and transparent government can help lift the economy, not racial and religious propaganda,” Chan said.

The forum discussed the ongoing political turmoil between Bersatu and Umno, with the latest development being an Umno MP dumping the Bersatu-led Perikatan Nasional government.

Machang MP Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub two days ago withdrew his support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, leaving the government with 110 MPs. The opposition also has 110 MPs in the 222-seat Parliament, as two seats are vacant due to the deaths of the incumbents.

Jazlan’s decision comes after Umno divisions held their annual meetings last weekend, during which they urged the party to dump the PN government.

They also want a general election to be called by April, which they feel will return Umno to its former prime position.

Another speaker tonight, Hasmi Hashim, said PN could not hold on to power for much longer after the recent attacks by Umno MPs against the Bersatu leadership.

He said it is time for Umno to make up its mind whether to stay with PAS or to seek a new alliance.

“What is the reason for Umno to continue working with Bersatu and PAS. After all the recent statements on not negotiating on seats with Bersatu, can they U-turn and say we can sit and talk again?”

“PAS is also not going to allow Umno to take over Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu. With the seats that Umno has now, can they still say that they are willing to work with PAS who is now closer to Bersatu?

“So Umno have to decide. To stay in Muafakat Nasional or in PN or to seek cooperation,” said Hasmi who is also a PKR member and a well-known lyricist.

Some Umno leaders have said the party is prepared to contest the 15th general election alone if need be, but Sayuti said the party will not be able to win alone. – January 11, 2021.