‘No’ to proposal for Umno to merge with Bersatu or PKR
MIRI: The proposal for Umno to merge with Bersatu or PKR to champion Malay rights has received negative reaction from politicians in Sarawak.
Former PBB supreme council member Yusof Abu Samah believes that it is better for Umno to be a strong opposition in Parliament.
He said by merging with Bersatu or PKR, leaders of the party expect to save themselves from the wrath of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“I think Umno leaders want to save their own wealth. It is a selfish move to save their own skin; that’s their intention,” Yusof told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He was commenting on the proposal by Umno Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul Abidin for Umno MPs to meet Bersatu and PKR leaders to forge a merger.
On the other hand, he said Umno MPs would definitely request for Cabinet positions in the PH government led by Bersatu president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. PKR Baram secretary Dennis Along recalled that Dr Mahathir had made it clear that Umno would not be admitted into PH and members of Umno could join PH as individuals, but they must be clean from corruption scandals.
A veteran politician, Othman Bujang, described the proposal by the Padang Besar MP as a smoke screen for Umno leaders to get back into power, which Bersatu and PKR must be wary of.
He said PAS made the right decision not to welcome Umno MPs to join the party as “people like these can’t become friends as they can easily twist their stand”.
“I hope Bersatu and PKR will not be easily tricked by these leaders who one day might destroy their parties,” he cautioned.