Various quarters have criticised Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) for its decision to offer associate membership to the non-bumiputera, a move said to be discriminatory.

However, Merdeka Center programme director Ibrahim Suffian does not think that Bersatu had shot itself in the foot with the move.

Ibrahim pointed out how the new party was formed with the purpose of taking on Umno.

Thus, it was only natural for it to be seen as a party that will cater to a specific segment of the electoral market - a party particularly meant for the Malay political spectrum.

“I think the move to have it open to Malays is precisely to communicate that it intends to challenge Umno by attracting disaffected Umno members.

“While this may be anathema for people who wish the country to move away from race-based politics, forming Bersatu relates to the realities of Malaysian political life - that ethnic interests still figure highly when people make political choices,” Ibrahim told Malaysiakini.

As it is likely that Bersatu would eventually join the opposition pact, Ibrahim said those keen on participating could join other parties, such as PKR.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim believes that offering associate membership is to allay criticisms that the party would be closed to non-Malay participation.

“I suppose they were attempting to strike a balance between putting across a strong pro-Malay orientation without looking like they are being against the non-Malays.

“Not always an easy feat to achieve these days,” he added.

As such, Ibrahim said, it was incumbent upon the new party’s top leadership to come out to explain their platform more clearly.

Speaking to reporters after submitting an application to register Bersatu with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on Tuesday, the party’s pro-tem president Muhyiddin Yassin said the party was open to all Malaysians.

However, the party’s normal membership will be open to only Malays, the bumiputera, the Orang Asli as well as Sabah and Sarawak natives.

The non-bumiputera are welcome to join the party, but as associate members who cannot vote nor contest for party posts. They can, however, be appointed to posts.

‘Pakatan Harapan lacks Malay-based party’

The political, security and international affairs cluster head of the Malaysian Professors Council, Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, also pointed to the reasons why Bersatu was formed.

If it ultimately collaborates with Pakatan Harapan, Mustafa said, it could be a party that would be able to attract and represent the Malay and bumiputera community.

Pakatan Harapan, he said, currently lacks a Malay, bumiputera-based party.

Although Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) is in the picture, Mustafa said it has not been able to attract the support of the Malays, as evidenced in the recent Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-elections.

And as Bersatu is made up of mainly Umno leaders, he believes that the new party’s leaders want to emulate Parti Melayu Semangat 46.

“They are going one step ahead by offering associate membership to the non-bumiputera,” he said.

“To what extent this associate membership will attract non-Malays is yet to be seen. I think they might be able to attract some, but they might not attract them fully.”

However, Mustafa took note of how associate members would not be able to vote, nor become elected leaders.

It is not surprising for non-Malays to be angry over it, he contended.

“(It is) sort of like practising a discriminatory policy.

“If I’m a non-Malay I would think, ‘why should I support you, you just downgraded my position to an associate member, (like) I’m not of equal standing as you’,” he said.

Since the issues that Bersatu plans to fight for are already stipulated in the Federal Constitution, this further strengthens the argument that two types of membership is not necessary, he added.

‘Just do another Semangat 46'

Independent political analyst Khoo Kay Peng also questioned the necessity of offering a dual type of membership.

“If you want to keep the party as a bumiputera, Malay party then just do another Semangat 46,” he said.

The non-bumiputera, Khoo added, have more political options than just the new party.

Those who want to be active politically can opt to join either PKR or DAP, which have proven to be successful, he said.

“So I don’t think that it’s actually going to bring any benefit to the party. What more, it’s only inviting criticism.”

Commenting further, Khoo believes that having such a membership would not attract “very good people”.

“As a political party, what they should be focusing on is quality.

“People who are joining as associate members - I don’t think these people are going to contribute seriously to the party. Some may just want to try to build networks with the leaders.”

Aa a result, Bersatu would not be getting quality non-bumiputera leaders, he argued.

“These are the people who will be filling up event seats, who will be standing behind the leaders. So what’s the point?” Khoo said.