Bersatu flexing muscles against Umno with Tajuddin’s treatment: analysts

KUALA LUMPUR – The timing of Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday is odd, to say the least.

It came just a day after he was removed as Prasarana Malaysia Bhd non-executive chairman by the Finance Ministry, allegedly over the appalling manner in which he handled the recent light rail transit accident.

While many would argue that his removal is justified, some were quick to point out that MACC’s swift action against Tajuddin came “a little too quickly”, indicating that an investigation into the Umno election director has been ongoing for some time.

Why action was not taken earlier by the anti-graft body is up for debate, but a likely explanation is that Bersatu did not want to make any more “unpopular decisions” that could further hurt the party, particularly when the public is seemingly more sympathetic towards Umno.

However, Tajuddin’s gaffe in handling the LRT crash provided Bersatu with a silver platter to get one over on Umno, as the two parties have been at loggerheads for months.

And what better way to do so against a rival political outfit than to go for one of its senior members – Tajuddin is known to be aligned with Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the latter’s predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Speaking to The Vibes, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun described MACC’s action against the Pasir Salak MP as an obviously opportunistic power play on the part of Bersatu.

The party is trying to cash in on the public resentment against Tajuddin, and “show muscle” to an increasingly unruly rival, he said.

“While Umno is understandably unhappy about the sacking, it can ill afford to whine about it publicly,” said Oh, pointing to the Umno man’s apathetic press conference on the LRT accident.

Nevertheless, by unleashing the full throttle of arrest and investigation into Tajuddin, Bersatu may have overplayed its hand a little bit, in the sense that it risks inviting backlash from Umno – which can now cry political persecution – and the public.

“If this trend of firing and investigating primarily Umno senior figures continues, it, of course, heralds an all-out political war between Bersatu and Umno that may significantly alter the political landscape.”

Action against Tajuddin a bargaining chip

University of Tasmania Asia Institute’s Prof James Chin said Bersatu may make an example out of Tajuddin to remind the Najib-Zahid camp in Umno of who is in power.

The party is split into two factions: those holding government positions have consistently urged it to continue supporting the Perikatan Nasional administration, while backbenchers led by Najib and Zahid want elections to be called immediately after Covid-19 cases get under control.

Chin said the action against Tajuddin can also be construed as a bargaining chip, one that Bersatu is using to garner more support from Umno leaders.

“It is like a way to say that none of you (in Umno) is safe, that I (Bersatu) have the power to sack and arrest.”

The Asian Studies expert said at present, Umno will want to make sure that the Prasarana chairman’s position remains with the party.

This is because posts in government-linked companies have already been carved out to establish which party helms which firm, he said.

“If Tajuddin’s replacement is not from Umno, there will be further trouble.

“Umno will use this excuse to further hit out at and pile pressure on Bersatu and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.”

Bersatu-Umno relationship will go from bad to worse

Universiti Malaya academic Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the latest development threatens to take the already strenuous relationship between Bersatu and Umno over the edge.

The tussle between the two Malay parties will cease only when elections are held, he said.

“I agree that there is an element of power play and pressure by Bersatu on Umno, invoving the actions taken against Tajuddin, but this will only make Umno more determined to not cooperate with Bersatu.”

He said the treatment Tajuddin is facing does not come as a surprise, considering that the lawmaker is a strong ally of Najib and Zahid.

However, he said, the termination may have raised eyebrows among some members of the public, especially when other non-performing GLC chairmen and ministers continue to hold on to their posts.

“Yes, Tajuddin committed a blunder in handling the train accident, but many will view this move as a politically motivated one.” – The Vibes, May 29, 2021