Urimai chairman P Ramasamy has urged Bersatu to leave Perikatan Nasional (PN), claiming the party has been unfairly treated by PAS, its former coalition partner.
In a Facebook post, Ramasamy said Bersatu had been ‘victimised by PAS’ in two key ways, citing what he described as coordinated attacks that led to the breakdown of ties between the parties, as well as PAS’ decision to support Umno during the Johor state election.
Criticism over PAS’ actions
PAS ended its relationship with Bersatu in June after party president Abdul Hadi Awang accused Bersatu of straining ties between the two parties.
The allegations included attempts to remove the Perlis menteri besar, interference in appointments involving Kedah and Kelantan, and Bersatu’s opposition to admitting new Malay-Muslim parties into PN.
During the Johor election, PAS instructed its members and supporters to back Barisan Nasional candidates in constituencies where PN was not contesting.
Ramasamy argued that PAS’ actions had weakened the other PN component parties and left the coalition unable to function effectively.
‘It no longer serves any meaningful purpose as an alternative to BN,’ he said.
Calls for a new opposition alliance
Ramasamy urged Bersatu to establish a new political coalition capable of challenging both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan in future elections.
He suggested that Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat, an informal coalition comprising opposition parties, including Urimai and parties outside PN, could serve as the foundation for a broader alliance.
‘The faster Bersatu decides to leave PN, the sooner it can begin the task of re-energising the opposition coalition,’ he said.
Separately, an analyst previously told FMT that Bersatu might need to join another coalition if party president Muhyiddin Yassin intends to remain politically relevant in Pagoh after PN lost two state seats within the parliamentary constituency in the Johor election.
