INTERVIEW | Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin believes that any coalition formed between Umno and PAS would not be strong enough to pose a threat to Pakatan Harapan.

Commenting on the two parties working together in two of Selangor’s by-elections – in Sungai Kandis and Seri Setia – Muhyiddin was sceptical of ties being formalised in a coalition given the ideological differences between the two.

"Well, it might be seen as a new coalition. But the question is whether this coalition will be strong. Because in Umno, which I was a member of, they have never felt that they could be together with PAS.

"Their ideologies, understanding of politics, and even their political methodologies are different. So on that note, I don't think they can become a strong coalition,” he said in an interview with Malaysiakini and Sinar Harian on Friday.

“Besides, I believe that some in Umno would not agree with the idea of joining up with PAS. The same goes for some in PAS, who viewed Umno as un-Islamic and evil.

“What more after they lost so badly in the 14th general election," he added.

Muhyiddin did not entirely dismiss the possibility of Umno and PAS joining forces, however, as "this is politics."

‘Umno is done’

Asked about the future of Umno, Muhyiddin – the party's former deputy president until his sacking in 2016 – insists that it is “done.”

Because of the way Umno “folded” (tapau) in the May 9 polls, he said, it is time for the Malay community to start treating the party as non-existent.

"That party did not only lose (GE14), but it was also destroyed. That is why we formed Bersatu.

"We saw this coming. I said as much in my policy speech during the (2014) Umno general assembly, I warned the party that we might lose the election, but he (then-Umno president Najib Abdul Razak) did not want to listen.

"Najib thought that when he got rid of me, he solved the problem.

“But he is the one who was gotten rid of, and I returned," he said, taking a jab at Najib, who was blamed for Umno’s worst-ever showing in GE14.

PAS stronghold

In the interview, Muhyiddin was also asked about Bersatu's strategy to win over voters in the east coast, particularly in the PAS-held states of Kelantan and Terengganu.

He said that the link between PAS and voters these is inexorable, as they have long been indoctrinated into the party’s ideological outlook.

"It is like the people on the east coast are bound (sebati) to Pas. That is why our strategy to work with them and have Amanah lead us in those states was not successful in attracting support for Harapan.

"I believe this will continue for a time, and it is hard to say until when... maybe when they realise that Harapan is a strong government that is able to help and defend Malays and Muslims."

Still, the depth of belief in PAS exhibited by these voters – especially those in the traditional stronghold of Kelantan – leaves Muhyiddin baffled.

"We have been telling them that it is important to have development, but there is an extraordinary situation in Kelantan where they say they want development the Islamic way.

“So whatever we do is deemed un-Islamic. This is the psyche of the people in Kelantan," he said.

"For example, this happens even when we do things the Islamic way – in terms of development, as well as economic and social progress,” he said, pointing out that Kelantan is still dependent on the federal government to stay afloat.

"(They say) 'It's okay, what is important is that we will go to heaven by supporting PAS.' This psyche has been embedded in their minds for so long.”

Regardless, Muhyiddin believes that there is still room for change on the east coast, given that PAS is losing some of its lustre.

"However, in the current situation, it might continue to be this way until the next election."

This interview was jointly conducted by Hariz Mohd, Al-Abror Mohd Yusuf, Norman Goh, and Mauricia Grace.

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