Within Bersatu, a struggle to be different yet familiar to Malays
BERSATU AGM | At face value, there is little difference between Umno and Bersatu. Not only do their delegates share the same red party colour, but many members have also had experience in both parties, owing to the fact that Bersatu is an Umno splinter.
As Bersatu delegates began to descend on its second annual general assembly in Putrajaya beginning Friday, the party sought to differentiate itself despite the many similarities with Umno...
BERSATU AGM | While still engaging in rhetorics, the party also took pains not to offend other communities.
BERSATU AGM | At face value, there is little difference between Umno and Bersatu. Not only do their delegates share the same red party colour, but many members have also had experience in both parties, owing to the fact that Bersatu is an Umno splinter.
As Bersatu delegates began to descend on its second annual general assembly in Putrajaya beginning Friday, the party sought to differentiate itself despite the many similarities with Umno.
However, as the annual general assembly progressed through the weekend, it was apparent that the party was not only trying hard to differentiate itself but also avoid reverting into Umno.
This struggle was reflected in Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman frustration as he lashed out at delegates who had demanded government contracts and positions only to get a veiled rebuffed from Bersatu vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman who said such as opinion was "stupid".
A substantial number of delegates applauded Syed Saddiq as he made the case against political patronage but just as many, if not more, stood up and applauded Rashid, the former Election Commission chief who in the past presided over gerrymandering to keep Umno in power.
"We must win the election by hook or by crook," a cynical Rashid (photo) declared as delegates who were slighted by Syed Saddiq's reprimand earlier stood up and clapped aggressively.
The young-versus-old divide was not only seen on the topic of government contracts and appointments but also on the issue of Bersatu taking in Umno members as well as the recruitment of young leaders.
While the debate was closed door, the wider population got a glimpse of what was debated when Bersatu leaders addressed the talking points of delegates during the winding-up speeches which was open to all.
One concern was on the relatively new members from Umno hijacking Bersatu and replacing its relatively younger leadership.
Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad reassured that this would not happen, but also expressed sadness at complaints from delegates that there were division leaders removing younger leaders who were more talented to avoid a potential challenge in future.
"If we do not allow new people to come in, then we will be division chiefs with no members. When that happens, it will wreck our party, and he or she won't be the division chief anymore because there is no more party.
"Look at Umno – what happened to them could happen to us," he warned.
Malay Muslim identity
Old warlords suppressing young talents had been a common complaint in Umno. But in contrast with Umno, a large part of Bersatu's membership comprise youths, and they are able to push back.
While the young struggled with the old who are entrenched in the previous Umno culture, there was one thing that they agree on - political realities require that Bersatu retain its Malay Muslim identity.
But the bumiputera agenda espoused by Bersatu too differed from that of Umno, at least in terms of rhetoric.
Umno had since 2008 become emboldened by the fact that it was able to form the government even without its BN partners MCA and MIC, which have been in decline.
Umno only lost power in the 2018 general election after its own support base eroded.
When Umno was strong, the party became increasingly hard line against other communities.
However, the reality is very different for Bersatu, which is reliant on its Harapan partners to be in power.
While still engaging in rhetoric about Malays, the party also took pains not to offend other communities.
Bersatu framed assistance to Malays as an effort to close the wealth gap among different communities instead of an endowed right due to their special position, as Umno hardliners have sometimes declared.
Mahathir also stressed that such assistance cannot be for perpetuity.
"For those who need help, we can give them a walking stick (tongkat) to help them. But the assistance cannot remain indefinitely.
"When they (Malays) are strong, the walking stick must be removed," he said.
While the familiar Malay-centric rhetoric may not sit well with Harapan's partners, it is a difficult balancing act for Bersatu, whose direct rivals are Umno and PAS.
