BERSATU president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has described the political alliances contesting the Negeri Sembilan state election as unusual, chaotic and confusing.
The former prime minister was referring to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) decision to form an understanding with Perikatan Nasional (PN), despite the coalition being considered a political rival at the federal level, instead of working with its partner in the MADANI Government, Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP, also criticised PN for sidelining BERSATU, its own component party, which he claimed had left the party with no choice but to contest independently.
He said the situation had created a strange political scenario where parties that were previously aligned were now competing against each other in the state polls.
“It has become a confusing political arrangement because they are now contesting against one another. BERSATU has no choice because our rights were denied.
“The history between PAS and UMNO has always involved disagreements and changing relationships. That is why we cannot continue with PN because the situation has become chaotic,” he said in an interview.
Muhyiddin added that BN-PN’s cooperation was merely a “marriage of convenience” and believed the arrangement would not last based on previous political developments.
He claimed the unclear direction of the alliances could confuse voters, which he said would create an opportunity for BERSATU to offer a clearer choice in the election.
“Where is their direction? BERSATU is clear. On the other side, people do not know what will happen after they achieve what they want,” he said.
The Negeri Sembilan 16th State Election will see PH contesting all 36 state seats, while BN will contest 25 seats and PN 11 seats. BERSATU, meanwhile, will contest 24 seats, including some overlapping contests with fellow PN component parties.
Muhyiddin also rejected claims that BERSATU was merely disrupting the election, saying the party has leaders with experience serving as prime minister, Cabinet ministers and menteri besar.
He said BERSATU has the capability to form the Negeri Sembilan government and should not be viewed as a party entering the election without a serious agenda.
