Will Muhyiddin’s Bersatu be Malaysian First, Malay Second?
So, Muhyiddin Yassin has become Malaysia’s second former deputy prime minister to form a political party to rival the ruling Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN).
The first is of course Anwar Ibrahim who is now languishing in the Sunga Buloh Prison in Selangor for committing sodomy, a charge and conviction which he alleges were politically framed.
Should the political savvy Malaysian voters now rejoice with Muhyiddin and his new party?
Mind you, this is the same man who, as the country’s then Malaysian Official 2, declared that he is Malay First, Malaysian Second.
It would be heartening, and Malaysians would be forgiving, if Muhyiddin quickly apologises to Malaysians and retract his “Malay First, Malaysian Second” racist utterance.
Retract your statement publicly and then peace-loving skin colour-blind Malaysians will forgive you and seriously consider supporting your new party - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
Muhyiddin submitted papers for Bersatu’s registration at the Registrar of Societies (RoS) in Putrajaya on Aug 9, 2016.
He told reporters that Bersatu was formed “to defend the rights of all Malaysians” and institutional reforms for a clean government are among the party’s objectives.
Apparently no reporter had the courage to ask Muhyiddin point-blank about his racial utterance and his current stand now, thereby missing the opportunity to hear his response.
Muhyiddin said: “The party membership is open to all Malaysians. It is open to Bumiputras, orang Asli, Sabahans and Sarawakians. It is also open to other Malaysians who can be associate members, who will have the same rights as the regular members, only difference is that they cannot contest for posts but be appointed instead.”
Muhyiddin, the Pagoh MP, said Bersatu would also ensure Islam’s status as the federal religion while respecting the rights of non-Muslims.
“We want to give everyone the right to practice their religion in peace and we also want to uphold the rights of the Sabahans and Sarawakians," he said.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of his registration application because Bersatu is likely to split the political votes of the Malays and could affect Umno’s performace in the 14th General Election (GE14) which is due March 2018.
At the same time, the Opposition parties (non-BN parties) are further split if they fail to reach a united electoral stand to face the BN in GE14.
Muhyiddin and Bersatu are likely to give former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s advice due respect in making decisions.
One wonders how Pakatan Harapan (comprising PKR and DAP), PAS and Bersatu (if it is registered by the RoS) by GE14 are going to strike an electoral pact on seat allocations to avoid multiple-corner contests that will naturally favour BN.
On this count alone, the BN-controlled RoS is likely to approve the registration of Bersatu as a political party.
Mahathir, who ruled Malaysia for 22 years, still commands much good will among the rural voters and respect from Malaysians.
But, will he be able to rope in all the non-BN parties for a really united Opposition for a bruising GE14 battle with BN-Umno? The odds are rather slim, don’t you think so?
If so, BN is likely to be returned in GE14 with a stronger mandate due to the electoral split.
However, obviously, it is still too premature for anyone to draw any really accurate political observations and conclusions.
What is certain is that Malaysians will watch with bated breath the political horse-trading and balancing of power and numbers by the non-BN parties as they dominate the news in the months to come.
And the BN-controlled print and electronic media are expected to have a field day reporting or misreporting on the woes of the Opposition parties.
So, Muhyiddin Yassin has become Malaysia’s second former deputy prime minister to form a political party to rival the ruling Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN).
The first is of course Anwar Ibrahim who is now languishing in the Sunga Buloh Prison in Selangor for committing sodomy, a charge and conviction which he alleges were politically framed.
Should the political savvy Malaysian voters now rejoice with Muhyiddin and his new party?
Mind you, this is the same man who, as the country’s then Malaysian Official 2, declared that he is Malay First, Malaysian Second.
It would be heartening, and Malaysians would be forgiving, if Muhyiddin quickly apologises to Malaysians and retract his “Malay First, Malaysian Second” racist utterance.
Retract your statement publicly and then peace-loving skin colour-blind Malaysians will forgive you and seriously consider supporting your new party - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
Muhyiddin submitted papers for Bersatu’s registration at the Registrar of Societies (RoS) in Putrajaya on Aug 9, 2016.
He told reporters that Bersatu was formed “to defend the rights of all Malaysians” and institutional reforms for a clean government are among the party’s objectives.
Apparently no reporter had the courage to ask Muhyiddin point-blank about his racial utterance and his current stand now, thereby missing the opportunity to hear his response.
Muhyiddin said: “The party membership is open to all Malaysians. It is open to Bumiputras, orang Asli, Sabahans and Sarawakians. It is also open to other Malaysians who can be associate members, who will have the same rights as the regular members, only difference is that they cannot contest for posts but be appointed instead.”
Muhyiddin, the Pagoh MP, said Bersatu would also ensure Islam’s status as the federal religion while respecting the rights of non-Muslims.
“We want to give everyone the right to practice their religion in peace and we also want to uphold the rights of the Sabahans and Sarawakians," he said.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of his registration application because Bersatu is likely to split the political votes of the Malays and could affect Umno’s performace in the 14th General Election (GE14) which is due March 2018.
At the same time, the Opposition parties (non-BN parties) are further split if they fail to reach a united electoral stand to face the BN in GE14.
Muhyiddin and Bersatu are likely to give former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s advice due respect in making decisions.
One wonders how Pakatan Harapan (comprising PKR and DAP), PAS and Bersatu (if it is registered by the RoS) by GE14 are going to strike an electoral pact on seat allocations to avoid multiple-corner contests that will naturally favour BN.
On this count alone, the BN-controlled RoS is likely to approve the registration of Bersatu as a political party.
Mahathir, who ruled Malaysia for 22 years, still commands much good will among the rural voters and respect from Malaysians.
But, will he be able to rope in all the non-BN parties for a really united Opposition for a bruising GE14 battle with BN-Umno? The odds are rather slim, don’t you think so?
If so, BN is likely to be returned in GE14 with a stronger mandate due to the electoral split.
However, obviously, it is still too premature for anyone to draw any really accurate political observations and conclusions.
What is certain is that Malaysians will watch with bated breath the political horse-trading and balancing of power and numbers by the non-BN parties as they dominate the news in the months to come.
And the BN-controlled print and electronic media are expected to have a field day reporting or misreporting on the woes of the Opposition parties.
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