Staying with DAP would have taken Malay votes away from Bersatu: Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu would have been obliterated today as a party among the Malay voters had it maintained its political ties with DAP and remained in Pakatan Harapan (PH), according to party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. 

This was what motivated the party, which he co-founded in 2016, to quit the coalition during the infamous Sheraton Move in 2020. 

Speaking at a Perikatan Nasional (PN) event last night, Muhyiddin recalled that Bersatu’s decision to join PH in March 2017, a year ahead of the last general election, was none other than to topple the then Umno-led Barisan Nasional government. 

“After the PH government was formed, we realised that if we had remained in the coalition, colluded politically and sacrificed our principles by being with DAP, I’m afraid that Bersatu in particular would be wiped out and would not be supported by the Malay-Muslims. 

“That was why we made the extraordinary decision (to withdraw from PH),” he said in his speech during the launch of the Pahang PN launching ceremony yesterday. 

Muhyiddin said this strategy was justified after Bersatu formed the PN coalition, which today also includes PAS, Gerakan, Star and Sabah Progressive Party. 

“In today’s geopolitical development, no one party can form the government. 

“Today, the concept is all about power sharing, which is why it was wise of PAS, Bersatu and Gerakan to combine to form PN. This is the trend forward.  

“It would have been impossible for Bersatu to win (an election) by going solo. With this cooperation of various parties, our chances are much brighter,” he said. 

Muhyiddin, who is PN chairman, also predicts that the coalition has a good chance of claiming Pahang, a state that has been a decades-long BN stronghold. 

He said, going by a recent briefing from party leaders, he is convinced that PN will be able to claim victory there and form the new state government after the general election. 

Additionally, Muhyiddin noted seat negotiations for the 14 parliamentary and 42 state seats in Pahang have largely been finalised without any hiccup. 

“Most of the constituencies are winnable. The only caveat is we need to work as hard as possible and ensure that every machinery carries out their duty and mandate accordingly,” he said. – The Vibes, October 11, 2022