Bersatu and Umno’s future ties decided, but no announcement yet.
Party to announce outcome on ties with Umno later
PUTRAJAYA: The top leadership of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia has reached a decision regarding its ties with Umno, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
However, Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, did not announce what the decision was.
“Yes, there is (a decision), but ask Hamzah (Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin),” he said after chairing the two-hour party supreme council meeting here yesterday.
In a statement, Hamzah said Umno’s decision to terminate ties with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional will have major implications on future cooperation.
“We view the letter by the Umno president dated Feb 26 seriously. The contents of the letter will have a serious impact on future cooperation between Umno, Bersatu and Perikatan.
“Bersatu will remain focused on strengthening cooperation with our friends in Perikatan, namely PAS, Sabah STAR, SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) and Gerakan, based on a struggle that is honest and sincere in serving the interests of the people,” he added.
Hamzah also said Bersatu is of the view that the Perikatan administration under Muhyiddin’s leadership remains strong and functional.
“In dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and a challenging economy, political stability is paramount to ensure whatever the government has planned can be implemented.
“Bersatu would like to express its appreciation to all political parties that remain loyal to defending the aspirations of the Perikatan government,” he said.
Bersatu called for the supreme council meeting yesterday to decide on Umno’s termination of cooperation with the party.
The meeting came after the party’s political bureau chaired by Muhyiddin had convened on March 3 to discuss a letter sent by Umno
dated Feb 26.
Hamzah had said that the matter would also be discussed with component parties at the next Perikatan supreme council meeting.
Umno had sent the letter, signed by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, stating that its supreme council in a meeting on Feb 19 had agreed not to cooperate with Bersatu in the next general election.
The letter, addressed to Muhyiddin as Bersatu president and Perikatan chairman, also stated that Umno would continue to give its support to the Perikatan government until Parliament is dissolved.