The rise and fall of Bersatu
What began as a promising venture to champion the rights of the indigenous people and combat corruption ultimately descended into a saga of betrayal, deceit and internal strife.
Since its inception, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has played a key role in Malaysian politics.
Established on Sept 7, 2016, it emerged with a promise to champion the rights and interests of the indigenous people and advocate for a fairer and more just society.
However, its journey has been marred by controversies, internal strife and allegations of betrayal, culminating in a tumultuous downfall that shook the foundations of Malaysian politics.
Formation and early years
Bersatu was formed as a response to growing discontent within the political arena, particularly among the Malay community over issues of corruption, economic inequality and perceived marginalisation.
Led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Bersatu positioned itself as a party dedicated to addressing these concerns and restoring integrity to Malaysian politics.
The party's founding members included prominent figures such as the former eighth prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Dr Mahathir’s son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
With Mahathir's extensive political experience and influence, Bersatu quickly gained traction, attracting members disillusioned with the ruling coalition at that time Barisan Nasional (BN), which had been in power for over six decades.
Gaining power and the Sheraton Move
In a historic turn of events, Bersatu along with other opposition party members formed the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition which achieved a stunning victory in the 2018 general election, ending BN's long-standing rule.
Mahathir was appointed as Prime Minister for the second time marking a new chapter in Malaysian politics.
However, Bersatu's tenure in power was short-lived and fraught with challenges.
In February 2020, a political upheaval known as the ‘Sheraton Move’ rocked the nation.
Amidst power struggles and backdoor negotiations, Bersatu along with several defectors from the PH coalition orchestrated a coup that led to the fall of the government.
This manoeuvre, widely condemned as an act of betrayal by the electorate, triggered a series of events that ultimately resulted in the downfall of the PH administration.
Internal strife
Following the Sheraton Move, Bersatu found itself embroiled in internal turmoil and factionalism. The party's leadership came under scrutiny with allegations of backstabbing and opportunism tarnishing its image.
Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president became the new Prime Minister after establishing a new coalition government with former rivals and defectors from the PH coalition.
This change in power intensified dissatisfaction among Bersatu members and supporters, with many feeling betrayed by their party's actions.
Amid growing pressure and controversy, Bersatu's reputation continued to decline, eroding public trust and credibility.
Legal battles
In addition to its political struggles, Bersatu faced legal challenges that further exacerbated its woes.
In 2021, the party became embroiled in a court case over its legitimacy, with factions vying for control and challenging the validity of its leadership structure.
The legal battle cast a shadow over Bersatu's already fragile position and contributed to its diminishing influence in the political arena.
On Aug 15, last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed Muhyiddin’s application to strike out the four charges of abusing his position as prime minister to obtain bribes totalling RM232.5 million for Bersatu in connection with the Jana Wibawa programme.
With the four charges struck out, he has three remaining criminal charges under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act pending at the Sessions Court.
The fall of Bersatu
In retrospect, the rise and fall of Bersatu symbolised the complexities and challenges in Malaysian politics.
What began as a promising venture to champion the rights of the indigenous people and combat corruption ultimately descended into a saga of betrayal, deceit and internal strife.
As tensions simmered and the party grappled with internal strife and external pressures, speculation mounted regarding its future.
Rumours of dissolution and fragmentation swirled, signalling the imminent demise of Bersatu as a formidable political force.
On Feb 18, Muhyiddin announced that the party's top leaders will participate in a retreat to explore initiatives aimed at attracting more voters.
The former prime minister emphasised the party's goal to strengthen the substantial support it garnered from Malay voters in the previous year's six state elections, asserting that Malay votes for Bersatu and PN saw a significant increase of 70 per cent to 80 per cent during the polls.
