Umno-Bersatu merger a threat to GPS — Political analyst

KUCHING: The proposed merger between Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia ( Bersatu), if it materialises, will be a threat to Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS) in the coming state election.

Political analyst and Associate Professor of Unimas’ Faculty of Social Science Dr Ahi Sarok said the merger would certainly see the entire machinery of Bersatu, Umno and Pakatan Harapan ( PH) coming to Sarawak and campaign against GPS.

He believes that if the merger does see the light of day, Bersatu might increase their seats in Parliament from 12 to 30 because there are rumours that at least 17 members of parliament ( MPs) from Umno will quit the party and join Bersatu.

“The merger, if it comes to pass, will certainly further strengthen the Pakatan Harapan ( PH) coalition,” he told The Borneo Post.

He was asked to comment on talks of merger between Umno and Bersatu.

Ahi, however, believes that Bersatu needs to screen the MPs that they want to accept into their fold, saying Bersatu should only accept MPs who are seen to be clean and not corrupt.

“The merger is good for the Malays because now the Malays are split. With the merger the Malays are regrouped under PH,” he said.

Perlis Umno deputy chairman Zahidi Zainul Abidin revealed on Wednesday that Umno and Barisan Nasional ( BN) MPs had met Bersatu leaders to discuss a merger.

Zahidi, who is Padang Besar MP, said the purpose of the discussions was to seek the “best option to save the Malays”.

“We are trying to discuss with PPBM ( Bersatu) to save the Malays. We want PAS but PAS is not ready so we are looking for the best option because we want the best for the Malays,” he was reported as saying at Umno headquarters.

He said BN MPs met Bersatu leaders two to three months ago, but refused to disclose the details.

Zahidi said: “We are planning to merge with PPBM ( Bersatu) but we do not want to quit Umno.

“Some of the MPs agreed to discuss with PPBM while some agreed to discuss with PKR. So we will see which one is the best. We have met PPBM.”

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously confirmed that all Umno MPs had signed statutory declarations, empowering him as party president to negotiate with political parties outside of BN.

He had said such negotiations were to form an alliance which would enable the Malay party to once again assume federal power.

He did not deny the possibility that the party could cooperate with PH, although Umno is now seen to be working closely with PAS.