Will more Members of Parliament from the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, particularly from Bersatu, turn rogue and support the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim?
I think so. Not only do I think so; I’m almost certain that more of them will become turncoats.
Why? Because many politicians can be likened to spineless jellyfish without backbone and they have to lean onto others, even adversaries unashamedly, for support.
So, it’s no surprise many also believe more Bersatu lawmakers will switch sides. Anwar thinks so too — aha, there must be something wrong with him if he doesn’t.
Last Sunday, the prime minister said he believes that more opposition MPs will support the coalition government because they are losing confidence in their parties over false promises of a change in government.
Anwar said these MPs had been told there would be a change of government through backdoor manoeuvres but obviously, it did not happen and the opposition was just playing on negative sentiments, including racial issues.
“And when hope is eroded, the people, the MPs who were promised so-called changes will leave their parties one by one,” he said when closing the Perak unity government convention in Ipoh.
The prime minister knows what he is talking about. He has seen it all in his many decades in politics. When the chips are done, even your most trusted aide will desert you.
Sadly, there are too many politicians who seem to prioritise personal interests over party loyalty. You will find more such characters in a party like Bersatu because it has nothing much to offer the MPs nor of any help to them.
Politics is a dynamic and challenging field, where individuals navigate a variety of pressures, including public opinion, party expectations, and personal beliefs.
Lawmakers will switch side when faced with difficult decisions and trade-offs that require balancing the interests of their constituents, party, and personal convictions.
And that is why is it no surprise that all the six MPs who had switched their support for Anwar and his Madani government were all from Bersatu.
Ever wonder too why all the MPs from PAS stay loyal and faithful to their party? Surely, one does not need to be a political scientist to understand this.
PAS is an Islamic party and religion often plays a significant role in shaping individual and community identities. A religion-based party may resonate with voters who identify strongly with a particular religious group, providing a sense of belonging and shared values.
This emotional connection can contribute to a dedicated and stable voter base. This is why PAS is definitely much stronger than its PN partner, Bersatu.
If any PN party should fall like tenpins in the next general election, it will likely be Bersatu. PAS will probably emerge stronger in the immediate future and I do not think a party like PAS will ever close shop.
The end is nigh for Bersatu. When almost all of the party’s top brass including its president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, took part in the treacherous Sheraton Move in 2020, it’s all over for the party.
After Muhyiddin was forced to step down as prime minister 17 months after the Sheraton putsch, Bersatu was never the same again.
Muyhiddin’s defiance of the King’s decree to form a unity government after the 2022 general election was probably the final straw.
Many Bersatu MPs were disappointed with their president’s decision and today, we see six MPs pledging their support for Anwar and his government. More are expected to do so.
What I find worrying about a party like Bersatu is that most of its key leaders are now known opportunistic schemers who are all out to grab power at all costs.
Muhyiddin is one of them. It is unfortunate that despite his long political career spanning more than four decades and even after having reached the top, Muhyiddin is still very much involved in dirty scheming and plotting to bring down the Anwar’s Madani government.
Well, there is such a thing as karma. Because of Muhyiddin’s long history of scheming, backstabbing and treachery, it is no surprise today that the former prime minister is now facing serious problems within the party.
There is a reported revolt against his leadership and six Bersatu MPs have already pledged support for the Anwar administration.
What is good to hear is the statement from government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil that the unity government is open to collaborating with all parties, including the opposition, because the focus now is to ensure unity among the people and the country’s development.
That’s what an upright government should do. Engaging with the opposition ensures that the government considers a broad range of viewpoints, leading to more inclusive and representative governance.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
