KUALA LUMPUR – A group representing Umno veteran politicians anticipates a surge in Bersatu MPs declaring their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the coming days.
Following the recent endorsements by four Bersatu MPs, Umno veterans secretary Datuk Mustapha Yaakub dismissed allegations of political brokers orchestrating the shift in support among the Bersatu MPs, saying that this reasoning was a way of diverting attention from the weaknesses of the party’s leadership.
“The opposition’s call to cease blaming the government comes after four Bersatu MPs expressed support for PMX (Anwar). Perikatan Nasional (PN) should exercise caution and control over their MPs if they wanted to prevent their support for the unity government.”
He said the Bersatu MPs who have decided to back Anwar voiced disappointment that they could not contribute to their constituents, and this is why they decided to support the prime minister.
“They know that their party is unable to fulfil all their promises made in the previous election. They also realise that their victories were due to the support of PAS supporters and not Bersatu’s strengths,” he said.
The four Bersatu MPs – Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), and Zahari Kechik (Jeli) – recently declared support for Anwar, while affirming their loyalty to Bersatu.
However, the party suspended the memberships of Iskandar and Suhaili in recent weeks.
Earlier today, Bersatu’s Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal pledged to support Anwar’s leadership if the unity government provides funding to develop his constituency.
In the Dewan Rakyat, Syed Abu Hussin said he sought some RM30 million for the installation of street lights and the building of roads for the area comprising five sub districts and three state assembly constituencies. – November 9, 2023