Bersatu Advised to Stay in Perikatan Nasional for Influence

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) should not leave the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, as doing so risks diminishing its political standing in Malaysia, according to a former UMNO official.

Datuk Dr. Mohd Puad Zarkashi, a former UMNO Supreme Council member, presented Bersatu with three options: dissolve the party, form a new coalition, or remain within PN and work to regain influence. He strongly recommended the latter, arguing that leaving would leave Bersatu with little impact, similar to the fates of Parti Berjasa and Parti Pejuang.

Zarkashi believes that PN still holds a viable political base that Bersatu can leverage. He also urged UMNO to be realistic about its own position and not overestimate its strength. The former official advised Bersatu to carefully assess the situation before making any hasty decisions that could jeopardize its future.

He drew a parallel to Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM), which eventually became Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan), suggesting that party transformations are possible. However, his primary counsel is for Bersatu to consolidate its position within the existing PN framework.