Ikatan divided amid failed attempts to court Bersatu
Top leaders from Umno splinter group Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) are unsuccessfully seeking to merge the party with Bersatu, according to sources.
Compounding the problem is an apparent split in the party leadership on whether to remain allied with PAS, or to be part of the ruling party...
Top leaders from Umno splinter group Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) are unsuccessfully seeking to merge the party with Bersatu, according to sources.
Compounding the problem is an apparent split in the party leadership on whether to remain allied with PAS, or to be part of the ruling party.
Sources told Malaysiakini that the merger with Bersatu is being pushed for by Ikatan president Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir - who was previously a tourism minister during Dr Mahathir Mohamad's first tenure as prime minister.
However, despite having met with Mahathir and other Bersatu leaders three times at undisclosed times, Ikatan's overtures have purportedly not borne fruit.
"It is difficult for Bersatu to accept Ikatan's intentions," a source said.
It is understood that while Bersatu is willing to take Ikatan members into the fold in their personal capacity, it is against a merger.
Previously in the 14th general election, Ikatan had worked together with PAS and Berjasa as part of the third-bloc coalition Gagasan Sejahtera.
However, PAS had since joined forces with BN in an alliance which helped stave off Pakatan Harapan in last month's Cameron Highlands by-election.
Internal dissent
While Abdul Kadir is keen on rejoining his old boss Mahathir, Ikatan Youth chief Shahir Adnan (below) wants to stick with PAS.
"After the 14th general election, (Ikatan, PAS, and Berjasa) have campaigned together for opposition candidates in by-elections, and have shared a stage to represent the opposition's voice.
"Gagasan Sejahtera Youth and Umno Youth have also jointly been involved in important programmes such as the anti-Icerd rally, economic forums... and even attended the PAS muktamar and Umno general assembly," Shahir told Malaysiakini.
He added that Ikatan will continue to speak out against any wrongdoing by Harapan.
"Ikatan isn't a party that will side with the government just for the sake of it," he said.
Ikatan was registered in 2015, and was formed by Abdul Kadir and other former Umno members as a party that would espouse the values of Malaysia's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
