'Bersatu won't die!': Party readies for PN axing, moots new pact

Bersatu has signalled that it is prepared to be forced out of Perikatan Nasional at the coalition’s meeting tonight.

Dressed in PN blue to signify that Bersatu is still a coalition member, party president Muhyiddin Yassin said the party’s commitment to the coalition is unquestionable.

“People ask me, are you still with PN? Of course, we will be with PN forever.

“But there’s supposedly noise that they want to oust us, oust us from the home we built. Is this wise?” he questioned.

With a possible axing in mind, Muhyiddin already has a backup plan in place for the Johor polls this Saturday.

During his speech, the Pagoh MP monologued a pretend conversation with PN chief Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar on whether the latter will sign authorisation letters for Bersatu candidates to contest under the coalition.

“‘Will you (Samsuri) sign?’ If he nods in agreement, then thank God. But if he keeps quiet, then what?”

Muhyiddin then revealed that he had instructed the party to prepare nomination papers, one to contest as a PN candidate, and another to use the Bersatu logo.

‘Just make a new one’

The Bersatu president then warned that if PN continued to associate itself with his former deputy Hamzah Zainudin’s faction, it would become toxic and may damage the coalition.

“If PN can’t be fixed, then what do we do? We find a new one (partner), make a new one (coalition). Meaning Bersatu won’t die! It will remain forever!

“We’ll form Bersatu Malaysia, why not? For example, we can invite friends from Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR) and other parties that want to form a big coalition. Can we?

“It’s that easy. So don’t mess with Bersatu,” he said.

IPR is a loose coalition that Muhyiddin formed with PN components and other opposition parties, including Urimai, Pejuang,  Putra, Berjasa, Malaysian Advancement Party, and the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party.

Bersatu’s PN membership has been at risk since PN-lynchpin PAS cut ties with the party earlier this month.

PAS has since openly embraced a Bersatu splinter faction led by Hamzah, who now heads a rebranded multiracial Wawasan Negara party.

Samsuri has said that a final decision on the coalition’s membership will be made tonight.

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