With Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and several other “party heavyweights” expelled, will the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) be “paralysed” – or will it be a major turning point for the coalition?
Was it any surprise that the recent photo uploaded by sacked opposition chief Hamzah Zainudin with several key PAS and Bersatu leaders had set tongues wagging across the nation?
The so-called “afternoon tea” session was said to have been convened after the Bersatu Disciplinary Board dismissed Hamzah and 16 other members in accordance with the provisions of Clause 22.5 of the party's constitution last Friday (13 February).
Note: It is believed to be for acts tantamount to sabotaging the party and attempting to oust the party leader.
Clearly, it was no casual rendezvous at some roadside warung as it included the PAS supremo Abdul Hadi Awang himself with his Secretary-General, Takiyuddin Hassan; Vice-President, Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar; Hadi's Political Secretary, Syahir Sulaiman and Bersatu Vice-President, Ronald Kiandee as well as expelled Bersatu leaders Saifuddin Abdullah and Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
The recent purges in Bersatu have been a long time coming; and now, not only has it raised serious questions about the trajectory of the opposition PN coalition, but more significantly its ability to function as a formidable force to challenge Pakatan Harapan and UMNO.
Likewise for the beleaguered party president Muhyiddin and his “leftover” loyalists, the obvious question is: what does the future hold for them if the photo of the sacked party leaders “enjoying” tea at Hadi's place is anything to go by?
Does it mean that PAS has already decided which Bersatu faction it will work with? And if it's Hamzah's, then wouldn't it be a “death blow” for Muhyiddin?
In reality, PAS has always given the impression that it is more comfortable working with Hamzah; so perhaps, it was to be expected for Hadi to host the sacked Bersatu deputy president and his other party “rebels.”
Moreover, because they were “sacked” from their party, Hamzah and gang can still serve as “independent” lawmakers aligned with PAS, so it is definitely not the end of the world for them. In such a scenario, won't Bersatu's grassroots also gradually shift their loyalty to them?
In fact, with Hamzah in their camp now to provide a moderate face, wouldn't PAS have finally solved their “PM poster boy” puzzle?
Will Muhyiddin then be left to captain a fast-sinking ship? In such circumstances, how long can his capable lieutenants Azmin Ali, Faizal Azumu, Radzi Jidin and others, afford to hang on to him?
While Bersatu's break up may pose an existential threat to Muhyiddin's political aspirations, PAS is also bound to suffer from the fallout. This is because while the Islamist party may still command the trust and allegance of voters in the four northern Malay-belt states of Perlis, Kedah Kelantan and Terengganu, the same can't be said with the other more urbanised states.
But with Hamzah onboard now, perhaps, PAS could reinvent itself and unleash a fresh surge of “green wave”?
However, politics can get really ugly especially if party or coalition leaders are at loggerheads with each other. This is bound to spill over to their supporters with calls to boycott certain leaders and internal sabotage coming into play.
In that context, can a divided PN still inspire the confidence of the electorate? Or will it be forced to concede much ground to its political foes? In such a scenario, will Anwar's PH coalition benefit from it – or will UMNO regain its “lost” support and emerge as the biggest winner in the next general elections?
As for Bersatu, another gaping question is: where would all these leave Azmin Ali? Will Muhyiddin appoint him as the new deputy to take over from Hamzah? But what if another senior leader is given the coveted position?
For Muhyiddin though, the more immediate concern may actually be how to stem the impending exodus of more disgruntled members from the party. After all, having shed more than half of its top leaders won't a significant number of its grassroots supporters also be compelled to follow suit?
In closing, while the nation waits for the political dust to settle and a clearer picture to emerge, the question on the lips of many may well be: was the photo of the afternoon tea in breezy Rusila at the residence of the PAS supremo actually a “housewarming” party for Hamzah – and a farewell party in absentia for Muhyiddin?
Main information source: The Vibes
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