Melaka polls: Bersatu cannot survive on its own, says Tuan Ibrahim

MELAKA: Pas believes Bersatu will eventually seek political cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH), claiming that the party cannot survive on its own amid its growing rift with Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said there were already signs of what he described as symbolic cooperation between Bersatu and PH, although the extent of any potential alliance remained uncertain.

He said Bersatu's decision to field candidates against PN component parties in several constituencies in the Melaka election further strengthened his belief that the party was moving towards cooperation with PH.

"I believe there is already some form of symbolic cooperation because that is the direction they are heading.

"Bersatu cannot possibly survive on its own," he told reporters after attending the Ceramah Kelompok UDM Pantai Cheng last night.

Tuan Ibrahim cited Bersatu's electoral performance in Negri Sembilan as an example of the difficulties the party could face without the backing of a larger political coalition.

He said Bersatu had lost its deposits in all the state constituencies it contested there.

"I am confident Bersatu will try to work with PH.

"We can see that Bersatu has fielded candidates against PN in several constituencies in this election.

"The only question is how receptive PH will be towards Bersatu," he said.

Before nomination day, speculation had been rife that Bersatu was likely to cooperate with PH to face Barisan Nasional, which is contesting the election alongside Pas and its allies, including Parti Wawasan Negara and Gerakan.

Bersatu later announced that it would field eight candidates in the Nov 14 election, including in Gadek.

However, the party withdrew from the Gadek contest on nomination day to make way for Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia.

This leaves Bersatu and PH contesting against each other in three seats, namely Ayer Keroh, Klebang and Pengkalan Batu. Bersatu is also facing clashes with PN allies Wawasan and Gerakan in Bemban and Ayer Keroh respectively.

It was reported yesterday that Bersatu had not issued any instructions to its grassroots members to support PH candidates in seats where the two parties were not contesting against each other in the Melaka election.

Its vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu had said that although the party had not issued any directives to its members and supporters, it appreciated PH's willingness to support its candidates.

Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari had previously said the coalition had no objection to its supporters backing Bersatu candidates in state constituencies it was not contesting.

He was reported to have said that although there was no formal cooperation between PH and Bersatu, the approach was intended to minimise clashes with the party led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin while allowing such support to take place.