The Malaysian Insight

AS Bersatu welcomed seven former Barisan Nasional MPs into the Pakatan Harapan fold, some of its own politicians and supporters are now dreading the emergence of Umno 2.0.

Several took to social media to express their disappointment, saying they now feel cheated and questioned if PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has made a U-turn after promising earlier that PH would not accept Umno turncoats.

Others were more sympathetic, viewing Dr Mahathir’s move as getting more MPs into PH so that he could push the reforms promised by the new governments without much hassle in Parliament.

But leading the voices of discontent, however, is a member of Dr Mahathir’s cabinet, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming from DAP.

“Don’t think PH supporters voted for us to see Umno 2.0 back in power,” Ong tweeted yesterday.

Many others expressed unhappiness about the new additions, like Twitter user Aged, not old. (@kptanb) who replied Ong, saying he felt cheated.

“You can bet the next election on that. PH is on a massive downward spiral! I feel cheated!”

Shahmi Zamarano (@EncheMarchisio) tweeted his condolences to Ong while Nizman Lee suggested DAP leave the PH coalition in a show of protest.

Mairzy Doats (@Mordff_Nit) said he thought PH was more progressive and knew what to do, but now the coalition is showing it is no better than Umno.

“It looks like a different political faction is running the government, without one solid stance and looking incapable of handling sensitive issues,” he tweeted.

The seven who joined Bersatu yesterday, which is chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir, were Hamzah Zainuddin (Larut), Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Dr Latiff Ahmad (Mersing), Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam), Shahbudin Yahya (Tasek Gelugor) and Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah).

On Facebook, many also reacted to a statement by PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang, who said PH parties should stop accepting BN lawmakers as members.

Chang said it is shocking to see a delighted Dr Mahathir yesterday when he said last May that PH will never accept Umno turncoats.

“It is rather disappointing that in less than a year, Dr Mahathir is going back on his words. 

“As a PH lawmaker, I would like to urge all component parties of PH to stop accepting former BN MPs, as it reflects badly on the image of the government,” the Tanjung Malim MP said.

Facebook user Mohd Wari said “Atuk” – referring to Dr Mahathir – is a “U-turn expert”.

Walaun United said if it were PAS accepting Umno MPs, PH would declare to the world that the Islamist party supported thieves.

“Hasn’t PH been calling Umno thief, corrupt, cruel and what not? If PAS was the one doing this, they would be telling the whole world that PAS supports robbers,” the Facebook user said.

Also responding to Chang’s remarks, Facebook user Sreekant Pillai offered a different take, saying the PKR leader is unhappy because the Umno defectors joined Bersatu, boosting its number of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

“You would probably be ok if (PKR president) Anwar (Ibrahim) accepted them into PKR but since Bersatu accepted them in and might get stronger than PKR, you are not ok with it. 

“So it has got nothing to do with Dr Mahathir going back on his word or principles. Nothing to see here, move on!”

Others regarded the crossovers in a more neutral and positive light.

Dave Ananth (@DaveBarrister) said on Twitter that Dr Mahathir needed more MPs on PH’s side to make amendments for reforms.

“Tun (Dr Mahathir) has a plan. To amend the constitution. The MPs, who crossed over has pledge their allegiance to PH. There will be massive reforms once PH gets the two thirds. Look beyond ex-Umno.”

Another Twitter user LUCQ (@UncleLucq) also shared Ananth’s view, observing that PH and PH-friendly parties Warisan and Upko now have 134 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

“A few more seat to reach 2/3 votes to facilitate Reform Agenda. Or does everyone think 2/3 is automatic? Or perhaps PH Supporter ignorance on the lack of seat PH is currently facing?”

Encik Khalid (@_Acat_) said the Umno personalities who just joined Bersatu were still elected MPs.

“To be fair and this is really clutching at straws here, the MPs from Umno who joined Bersatu still carries the mandate of the people ,who voted for them. They did win (the election) kan (right)? As opposed to the ones who lost.”

On the other side of the political divide, losing the seven, who have been branded traitors, is no big deal and even a relief for Umno supporters.

Zulhelmy Zul said it is a relief Bersatu accepted the traitors, freeing Umno of them.

“Good. Thorns in Umno’s flesh. Leave them be,” Zarina Zainal said on Facebook.

Nizam Nk said good riddance.

Another Facebook user Azran Teluk Anson called them Umno rubbish who are now Bersatu’s rubbish.

Sensing the backlash, Dr Mahathir defended the move yesterday when he said: “Sometimes we need to change according to the circumstances. We cannot be tied to a certain leader or party even when they steal.”

He said the Umno leaders were previously uncertain about the veracity of the allegations against former Umno president Najib Razak.

“But they know now after Malaysians have rejected the party.” – February 13, 2019.