‘Unlikely for Bersatu to create impact’
MIRI: It is unlikely that the newly set- up Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia ( Bersatu) will create great impact to the state’s political arena, even if its application gets the approval from the Registrar of Societies ( ROS).
Political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) is confident that the new party will not attain any seat in the next general election.
“Firstly, it would be very difficult for Bersatu to spread its wing in Sarawak – it being a Malay- based party with leaders comprising former Umno members.
“Moreover, it has to compete with local political parties, which are already known and wellsupported by the multi- racial electorate,” he said yesterday in response to a question about the possible political impact brought by Bersatu to Sarawak and Sabah.
In Malay, the word ‘ pribumi’ means native or indigenous. Its inclusion in Bersatu’s name may be meant to attract Bumiputera voters.
Former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters recently that he had proposed for former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad be the chairman of Bersatu.
On the new political party, Jeniri said Bersatu risked becoming like PAS and PKR – both of which are still facing stiff competition from PBB, which is the state Barisan Nasional ( BN) backbone.
“Bersatu may even have to contest in Chinese-majority areas, should they want to contest in Sarawak.”