KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s cryptic Facebook posting about “disappointment”, “betrayal” and “embarrassment” appears to point to the deepening turmoil within Perikatan Nasional (PN) and the failure of its leaders to keep the coalition together.
Ahmad Faizal did not name the leaders he was referring to, but his comments came amid an increasingly strained relationship between Bersatu and Pas, with Pas now in control of PN.
The former Tambun MP said he was disappointed that something built together had been reduced to a state of shambles, with potentially massive repercussions.
He said he was angry because those involved appeared to be good but had acted in ways that ultimately disadvantaged themselves.
He also said he felt ashamed because although their words had made the “earth shake”, the reality was that they were weak.
“I feel betrayed,” he wrote.
The timing of the posting is significant, given the latest developments involving PN.
In June, PN officially consolidated its leadership under Pas’ Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar following formal confirmation from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
But yesterday, ROS ordered the immediate suspension of all PN activities following a complaint by one of the coalition’s component parties.
PN was issued a notice under subsection 13(2) of the Societies Act 1966, giving the coalition a reasonable period to respond to the complaint.
With Pas now running PN, Ahmad Faizal’s remarks can be read as a criticism of the coalition’s inability to put its affairs in order despite its leadership structure being formally established.
That is particularly relevant to his use of the word “embarrassed”.
There has also been considerable attention on Ahmad Samsuri’s calibre, with some even touting him as prime minister material. Pas has likewise often spoken at length about the calibre of its leaders.
Yet PN, comprising Pas, Bersatu, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, Gerakan and Malaysian Indian People’s Party, remains embroiled in turmoil.
On Sept 20, Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Pas had decided to end its political cooperation with Bersatu within PN.
Muhyiddin said the decision was made entirely by Pas, led by Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, and was not initiated by Bersatu.
Pas had also recently welcomed Parti Wawasan Negara into PN. Its president, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, was formerly Bersatu deputy president.
Ahmad Faizal’s reference to parties that appeared to be trying to look good could also be read in the context of Pas’ relationship with its allies.
Despite leading PN, Pas has maintained a close working relationship with Umno, as seen in the recent series of state polls in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. Pas’ key leaders had also attended the recent Umno General Assembly.
The developments make clear that Bersatu and Pas no longer see eye to eye, while Bersatu’s own position within the political landscape also appears uncertain.
That raises the question of what comes next for Bersatu.
Could the breakdown in its relationship with Pas eventually lead Bersatu towards an alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH)?
Ahmad Faizal declined to comment beyond what he had written in his Facebook posting. For now, however, his remarks underline the extent of the disappointment within Bersatu over the direction of PN and its relationship with Pas.
The developments also come as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim prepares to table Budget 2027 next month.
