Urimai chairman P Ramasamy has called on Bersatu to reconsider its position in Perikatan Nasional (PN) and leave the opposition coalition, citing what he described as unfair treatment by fellow component party PAS.
In a Facebook post, Ramasamy claimed Bersatu had been “victimised by PAS” through two major developments involving disagreements between the two parties.
He pointed to what he alleged were coordinated attacks by PAS that eventually led to the breakdown of ties between the parties, as well as PAS’ decision to support Barisan Nasional (BN) in several seats during the Johor election.
PAS ended its cooperation with Bersatu in June after its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang accused Bersatu of causing tensions within the coalition, including disputes over the Perlis menteri besar issue, alleged interference in Kedah and Kelantan appointments, and objections over admitting new Malay-Muslim parties into PN.
During the Johor election, PAS also instructed its members and supporters to back BN candidates in constituencies where PN did not field candidates.
Ramasamy claimed such actions had weakened other PN component parties and caused the coalition to lose its effectiveness as a political alternative to BN.
“PN no longer serves any meaningful purpose as an alternative to BN.
“My advice to Bersatu is simple and straightforward: it is time to establish a new political coalition capable of challenging both BN and Pakatan Harapan in future elections,” he said.
He suggested that Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat, a loose grouping involving opposition parties including Urimai and parties outside PN, could potentially become a platform for a wider opposition alliance.
Ramasamy said Bersatu’s decision to leave PN sooner would allow the party to begin rebuilding and revitalising the opposition movement.
Previously, an analyst said Bersatu may need to consider joining another coalition if its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wanted to maintain political influence in Pagoh following PN’s defeat in two state seats within the parliamentary constituency during the Johor election.
