PH’s hattrick losses stopped Umno exodus into Bersatu
PUCHONG: Penang deputy chief minister II, P Ramasamy viewed the Pakatan Harapan (PH) hattrick losses in the Cameron Highlands, Semenyih and Rantau by – elections positively for PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as it stopped the Umno exodus into Bersatu.
“It put a stop to the exodus of Umno leaders into Bersatu. In other words, Bersatu has been stopped in its tracks in recruiting more Umno leaders by the revival of Umno,” said Ramasamy who is also Prai state assemblyman in a statement.
“Surely this might have disappointed those leaders in PH who were bent on spoiling the chances of Anwar to succeed Mahathir by drawing former Umno leaders into PPBM,” he added.
The Rantau by-election over the weekend was the seventh held since GE14. It is also the third that PH lost.
He also noted the growing warm relations between Anwar and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“If it is ridiculous to ask Mahathir to make way on the basis of the government’s poor performance in the by-elections, it is also preposterous to expect Anwar to give up the post of prime minister, something that has eluded him for a long time,” he said.
“The question of succession has been settled. When Mahathir gives up his post at the appropriate time, Anwar will become the next prime minister.”
“Even if PH lost in the recent by-elections, the drift of Umno leaders orchestrated by some PH leaders opposed to Anwar into PPBM has been stalled.”
The DAP leader also cautioned Dr Mahathir against the growing dissatisfaction on the government since the performance of cabinet ministers may be a factor in the outcome of by-elections.
“He must find out whether his ministers are doing their duties and why there is a growing dissatisfaction towards the PH government. That is, if the recent by-elections are any indicators.”
In a related development, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil too downplayed the hattrick losses and echoed similar sentiments as Ramasamy.
“If Umno had lost the Rantau polls, I’m sure we will see more MPs leaving the party, and they will be in a more severe situation. If we win the next by-election in Sandakan, it will be five wins for us,” said Fahmi who is also PKR communication director.
“I think the three straight loses for PH is not necessarily a true reflection of things. There is no real indication of a large swing (of votes).
“In fact, the swing seems to be away from BN, at least in Rantau,” he said, referring to the one percent reduction in the total votes garnered by BN in the by-election as compared with GE13.”
