Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor, we are told, has no qualms about the Registry of Societies (RoS) approving Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia as a political party.
His “only concern” (if that is the right word to use) is if the Mahathir-Muhyiddin-led party is allowed to use the word “Bersatu” as its acronym.
Already, the party has been widely referred to as Bersatu — which as we know is Malay for “united”. To Adnan, it is a commonly used general term and its use by the Umno political foe “will cause confusion”.
Hence, he wants the RoS “if possible to tell them” not to use the word Bersatu”.
He is not saying it out loud of course. But obviously Adnan, in not wanting the party to be referred to by the general public as Bersatu, does not wish to see the political rival associated, linked, or whatever you want to call it, with unity per se.
In short, he does not want the party to symbolise unity, or at the very least, appearing to be that or giving such an impression to the general public.
And Adnan is also not happy with the use of “Amanah” by Pas breakaway Parti Amanah Negara. In the closest literal English translation “amanah” means fulfilling, trustworthy and loyal.
And in Islam, “amanah” has an extensive and unlimited meaning, or rather definition. To state the obvious again, the last thing Umno needs is for its enemy to be “seen to be linked” with the good values the word “amanah” brings.
It is not surprising then for Adnan to be quoted as saying “I also do not understand why Amanah was approved as amanah is also common”.
Perhaps his remark is too little, too late. Parti Amanah Negara is now already known as simply Amanah.
And it seems that Umno-linked media have instructed their editorial staff not to use the word “Amanah” in their reporting of the party led by Mat Sabu. Instead they have been told to use “PAN”.
This brings me to the early days of ADIL, the so called “reformasi” movement and the subsequent formation of Parti Keadilan National in 1999. The party is now known as Parti Keadilan Rakyat following a merger with Parti Rakyat Malaysia in 2003.
I remember “adil” and “keadilan” back then were taboo for the mainstream media. Even for non-political news in Bahasa Malaysia. So when writing about fairness and equality the word journalists were “encouraged” to use was “saksama”, which, incidentally, has a similar meaning to “adil” and “keadilan”.
Now, Parti Keadilan Rakyat is known as PKR most of the time, even among its own members.
Anyway, talking about PKR, its Ketua Umum as we know has welcomed the setting up of Bersatu.
On Aug 11, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was at the Syariah High Court in Shah Alam for one of his many court battles. Outside the courtroom the media asked for his take on the new party. And this was what he said: “Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has to gerakkan the party”. Meaning get the new party up and running even while waiting for its application to be approved by the RoS . Just how would Muhyiddin do that?
Muhyiddin, party chairman Tun Mahathir Mohamad in particular and the other founders of Bersatu have been making the rounds highlighting again and again the 1MDB scandal , the “ills” brought to the nation by the current leadership and administration and the need to save Malaysia. Their focus now would be the rural areas — the Malay heartland and Umno stronghold.
Well and good. But does that constitute up and running as far as the party goes ?
Said a former Umno strategist: “Muhyiddin must first ensure his party gets the support of his own area — Pagoh. At least 50% of Umno branches in Pagoh should be dissolved and replaced by Bersatu, then it will have an impact.”
Up till now only five ketua cawangan in Pagoh have resigned in support of Muhyiddin. Not strong enough. What message is Bersatu sending to Malaysians if Muhyiddin cannot get full support in his own backyard?”
According to Malaysiakini, Muhyiddin remains a well-respected figure in Pagoh and many Umno members are prepared to jump ship once Bersatu is officially registered. However, the report in the news portal also said many more disapprove of “turning on Umno or worse, working with the DAP”, now viewed as an ally of Bersatu.
The former Umno strategist I met also spoke about Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, one of the leading lights of Bersatu.
“Like Pagoh, Jerlun must also see total suport of Mukhriz. He was after all division chief there, besides being Kedah Menteri Besar. But he is not an influential politician.” To the ex-Umno strategist, Bersatu will not go far.
Based on that and all the bravado of the party leadership, Adnan, and for that matter Umno in its entirety, should not be unduly worried by Bersatu.
Even Muhyiddin admitted so (albeit sarcastically of course ) when he said Umno should not fear Bersatu as “we are just a mosquito party”.
But as an old friend pointed out, it’s mosquitoes that bring about malaria, dengue and zika — and when they sting, it can be deadly.
Mohsin Abdullah, now a freelancer, is a veteran journalist and formerly an executive producer with Edge TV.
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