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PETALING JAYA: An analyst says the status quo achieved at the recent Bersatu election may not bring about unity, noting that some rank and file members had from the outset taken issue with party president Muhyiddin Yassin’s formula.
On Monday, former ministers Ronald Kiandee, Radzi Jidin and Ahmad Faizal Azumu were elected as Bersatu’s three vice-presidents for the 2024-2027 term.
Their victory meant that Muhyiddin’s “formula” for the party election, which he said had been put into effect “flawlessly”, had been fulfilled.
However, Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia said any formula aimed at preventing divisions in the party may be rendered futile if Bersatu fails to prove its worth.
He said the party suffered from two major disadvantages – a weaker machinery compared to its Perikatan Nasional ally, PAS, and the lack of funds to run campaigns.
“Unless they can show what the party can bring to the table and demonstrate it can stand on its own without relying on PAS, any formula the leadership comes up with to prevent schisms is worthless,” he told FMT.
“Bersatu also has to prove that they are a more credible alternative to Umno in areas that used to be Umno strongholds and in seats Bersatu won in GE15.”
In July, when “leaking” the candidates’ list for the party polls, Muhyiddin said he had at the party’s request held negotiations among party leaders for posts to prevent divisions within the party.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid of Universiti Sains Malaysia said any schism in Bersatu can be minimised if the leadership makes a determined effort to include all factions in its future line-ups and assignments.
Fauzi said such a formula should be adopted if it can ensure party unity.
However, the leadership must be open and courageous enough to make the necessary adjustments if warranted, he said.
Fauzi also said Muhyiddin should lay out a clear trajectory for the party in the event he retires or resigns.
“Should a contest for the leadership take place following his departure, it is best that Muhyiddin allow the party’s members and delegates to make a decision rather than favour one faction over another,” he said.