Naive, greedy Bersatu leaders led to Feb 23 'betrayal': Kadir Jasin

Political naivety coupled with high ambitions and greed among many Bersatu leadership council members have led to their betrayal of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, according to veteran scribe A Kadir Jasin.

In a blog post, Kadir said that Feb 23 - the day Bersatu leaders met with Mahathir (above, right) - will be remembered as a "day of betrayal, zeal for power and misguided strategy" by a majority of within their ranks who moved to support Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin (above, left) and the new Perikatan Nasional pact.

"Mahathir's plea during the meeting was simple: 'Do not force me to go against my principle. Do not prevent me from fulfilling my promise.'

"But even that they (Bersatu leaders) ignored," said the former media advisor to the government.

Kadir further claimed the leaders had ignored Mahathir's attempts to explain that he retained support from Harapan parties to remain prime minister until the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit scheduled to be held in November.

Among others, he said the leaders had fallen for a narrative which primarily called for Bersatu to replace Umno as the biggest Malay-Bumiputera based party, and that it would never be able to achieve that goal if it remains in cooperation with Harapan-ally DAP.

Kadir also claimed the leaders were convinced that Bersatu must leave Harapan to "save Mahathir" from being insulted by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's supporters who wished to expedite the power transition process.

Following Muhyiddin's appointment as prime minister, Kadir today said it has become increasingly clear that Mahathir was not lying or giving a false interpretation of the situation.

"After Bersatu left Harapan, has it become stronger and more respected? Are the Malays lining up to join the party?

"Is Umno, which was in ruins, now completely destroyed?" said Kadir who alluded to changes in state administrations which benefited Umno and resulted in losses for Bersatu.

In Johor for example, Kadir pointed out that Bersatu had lost the menteri besar post to Umno.

"Is that a sign of strength and success for Bersatu after leaving Harapan?

"Or is it actually the strategy of Muhyiddin and his supporters to return Johor to Umno?" he questioned.

Kadir said a similar trend could also be seen in Perak and Malacca, aside from the uncertainties surrounding Muhyiddin's new cabinet line-up.

"It appears that Umno will always be Umno - hegemonic - and Bersatu will be like a bull pulled by its nose (the follower)," he said.

Mahathir had initially announced his resignation as Bersatu chairperson but later withdrew his move.

A group of party leaders including Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had pledged support for Mahathir, although a larger number of leaders and lawmakers at federal and state levels are backing Muhyiddin and the new PN coalition.