Bersatu afraid of losing posts: Loke says of its withdrawal threat

KUALA LUMPUR – Despite much chest-thumping by Perikatan Nasional (PN) lynchpin Bersatu over possibly withdrawing support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, DAP appears unfazed by a possible snap election in the event of a collapsed government.

Dismissing Bersatu as being “inconsistent”, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke described the former Pakatan Harapan party as being erratic and only desiring to keep its claws firmly into the corridors of power.

“One day, they’re saying that they want to withdraw (from the government) but then the next day, a Bersatu leader will claim that it is not the case.

“Bersatu is not consistent, they are afraid of losing their posts,” he said at a press conference here today without referring to any specific party members.

Several Bersatu leaders are cabinet members and deputy ministers.

Loke, who is also Seremban MP, said PN’s eventual stand has nothing to do with DAP, adding that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will hold discussions on its next move.

“If they (PN) do pull their backing for Ismail Sabri, causing him to lose majority support in Parliament, PH will discuss and see what to do next. For now, we are keeping our cards close to our hearts.”

Meanwhile, former PAS central working committee member Datuk Khairuddin Aman reportedly said today that party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had committed a tactical blunder by choosing Bersatu over Umno.

He also revealed that many PAS members share the same view but would rather internalise their opinion than act in contradiction over the party’s decision to choose Bersatu over Umno.

Yesterday, PN supreme council member Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said the coalition would continue supporting Ismail Sabri’s administration until the end of the parliamentary term on July 15, 2023.

PAS vice-president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has also confirmed support for Ismail Sabri, claiming that talk on PN mulling withdrawal of support for the government was merely the view of certain quarters.

Prior to that, Ismail Sabri had assured that Putrajaya was ready for snap polls if a certain party withdrew support.

Recently, PN has been seen as threatening to withdraw its support for the government over Ismail Sabri’s refusal to appoint a Bersatu deputy prime minister.

The agreement between PN and Ismail Sabri for a Bersatu deputy prime minister was made when the latter took office in exchange for PN’s support, but has not been fulfilled a year on.

Last Thursday, Ismail Sabri made an eleventh-hour decision to cancel a meeting with PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to discuss the matter.

Subsequently, a source from PN told The Vibes that the coalition is still open to holding talks with Ismail Sabri, claiming that their support depends on the latter’s justification for refusing Bersatu the number two post in government.

Another source disclosed that several Bersatu leaders are also against the idea of backing out from the government, with a number of party leaders currently assuming executive positions.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri is also facing calls from within Umno not to accede to PN’s demands, with party veteran Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz urging the prime minister to ignore intimidation tactics employed by Barisan Nasional’s rival parties. – The Vibes, August 8, 2022