Bersatu must survive despite facing its toughest political test since its formation, party president Muhyiddin Yassin said, describing the party as the country’s only credible opposition force.
In a Facebook post, Muhyiddin said Bersatu now stood alone in the opposition after Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) formed governments at the federal and state levels, while Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) electoral understanding with BN meant the coalition was ‘indirectly’ supporting the government.
‘Can Bersatu survive the challenges and opposition from government and pro-government parties? For me, the issue isn’t whether it can survive – it must survive,’ he said.
Claims of an opposition vacuum
Muhyiddin argued that Malaysian politics now lacked a credible opposition capable of checking government policies and representing the people’s concerns.
‘Because there is now a huge vacuum in Malaysian politics. There is no longer a truly credible party to check and balance government policies, or to carry the people’s voice as living conditions grow harder,’ he said.
He also said PH and BN shared responsibility for government policies which he claimed had increased the burden on Malaysians, citing higher diesel and petrol prices as well as continued cost of living pressures.
Criticises rivals, reaffirms Bersatu’s mission
Muhyiddin accused Umno and BN of shifting responsibility while in government and using calls for ‘ummah unity’ and ‘Malay unity’ to gain support from Malay voters.
‘Believe me, this is just a charade to deceive the eyes of the Malays and the people in order to gain power,’ he said.
He added that Bersatu remained committed to the principles on which it was founded, including its opposition to ‘kleptocracy’ linked to the 1MDB scandal.
For the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election, BN and the PAS-led PN have reached an electoral understanding under which BN will contest 25 seats and PN 11.
Bersatu has, however, left the arrangement and will contest 24 seats under its own logo, while PAS has ended its political ties with Bersatu despite both parties remaining within PN.
